NY Fire Officer Accused of Being Drug Dealer

Posted by: Curt Varone February 5, 2019 0

A Middletown, New York fire lieutenant has been arrested on drug charges amidst allegations that he is “a ringleader of a cocaine-dealing motorcycle club.”

Lt. Paul Smith, 48, was arrested as part of a series of raids that netted 29 people. The raids were conducted by New York State Police and agents from the FBI and DEA in five locations. Besides those arrested, police seized more than $200,000 in cash, 25 handguns, multiple rifles, 2.5 pounds of cocaine and 1,300 Fentanyl pills.

The investigation was dubbed “Bread, White and Blue” and focused on several motorcycle clubs. Besides Smith, a retired police officer was among those arrested. Smith has been suspended from duty with the Middletown Fire Department.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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