Police from a drug task force arrested a volunteer firefighter on Monday and court documents state that he was buying drugs while on duty and under the influence while driving a firetruck.
After receiving reports that a fireman was using or selling narcotics at the Eighth Utilities District Firehouse in Manchester, members of the East Central Narcotics Task Force set up surveillance in the parking lot on Monday, police said.
When police made the arrest, Joseph Litrico, 24, of Manchester, a member of the fire department, was on duty and had several bags of heroin, including more than 50 empty bags of heroin, according to a release from the East Central Narcotics Task Force.
Litrico is the son of the fire chief, according to court documents.
Tony Bilotta, the fire commissioner, said Litrico has been suspended without pay and there will be an internal investigation.
"We as a board have not met yet, so when we do meet this will be one of our main topics," Bilotta said . "We're a family and when news such as this hits a family, it's very stunning. It's very difficult to take."
Litrico’s father is not involved and the department had no knowledge that Joseph was using or buying drugs at the department while on duty, Bilotta said.
The task force made the arrests around 11 a.m. on Monday while watching the firehouse parking lot at 138 Main St.
They said Litrico came out of the firehouse, dressed in a fireman’s uniform, and make a quick “hand to hand transaction” with the driver of a blue Nissan Maxima that had pulled into the parking lot.
That car matched the description that police had of a car that frequently showed up at the firehouse.
Members of the task force stopped the car, searched it and said they found 11 bags of heroin, about 5 grams; suboxone pills, which are used to treat opiate addictions; heroin packaging; and other drug paraphernalia.
They took the driver, Kenneth Bowman, 26, of Marlborough, into custody, released the passenger and went back to the firehouse, where Litrico admitted to the incident, according to a news release from the task force.
Litrico told investigators he was ashamed and that he worried this would destroy his father, according to court documents. He admitted having a prescription drug problem and said he took up heroin about a month ago to supplement the habit, according to the documents.
Litrico was taken into custody and police said they found around five bags of heroin, approximately 1.97 grams; and 50 bags of already used bags of heroin on Litrico.
Inside Litrico’s car, task force members said they found Suboxone pills, more empty bags of heroin, a small amount of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia.
Litrico charged with possession of heroin, suboxone, narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school and drug paraphernalia, as well as possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana. Bond was set at $10,000.
Bilotta said there is no drug testing policy within the volunteer department, but this will be re-examined.
NBC Connecticut called Litrico's home and the person who answered the phone said they are dealing with a health issue. No one answered the door at their home.
Bowman was charged with sale of heroin and suboxone, as well as possession of heroin, suboxone, narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school and drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at
$50,000.
