Bridgeton police officer arrested for steroid possession, intent to distribute
Published: Thursday, January 19, 2012,



BRIDGETON — A four-year veteran of the Bridgeton Police Department (BPD) was arrested Wednesday night by members of his own department shortly after reporting for duty.

Robert W. Smith, 31, of Williamstown, was apprehended by members of the police department and Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office on narcotics-related charges at around 10 p.m. that evening.

The charges include possession of a a controlled dangerous substance (oxandrolone anabolic steroids), possession with intent to distribute, distribution and distribution within a school zone.

Smith, who had been assigned to the department’s patrol bureau, was lodged in the Salem County Correctional Facility on $75,000 cash bail. He was “immediately suspended without pay with intent to dismiss pending final criminal case disposition,” according to BPD Chief Mark Ott.

Smith was in possession of 60 pills of Anavar, a brand of the controlled dangerous substance in question, according to court documents.

When asked if the department tested for steroids at the time of hiring, Ott said they did not and that “the state doesn’t do it anywhere that I’m aware of.” He declined to comment on how long the department may have known about Smith’s activities, what tip led to his arrest and who he may have been selling the substances to.

BPD Capt. Michael Gaimari said authorities received information Wednesday afternoon pertaining to Smith’s suspected involvement. The department conducted “an expedient, but thorough, investigation utilizing the department’s Professional Standards, Patrol and Criminal Investigation bureaus,” according to a press release Thursday.

Authorities indicated the investigation is continuing.

Police said there is no indication other Bridgeton officers are involved nor any of the suspected criminal activity occurred while the officer was on duty.