Ex-Bergen Top Cop Indicted On Cocaine-Related Charges: Report

An ex-Bergen County police chief was indicted on charges of drug possession and distribution, according to a report on NorthJersey.com.

Michael Coppola, 43, of Totowa was indicted in December on third-degree cocaine possession, cocaine distribution, attempted possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and MDMA possession, according to the report, which cited court records.

Coppola was arrested in August after he picked up what he thought was cocaine he purchased online and had shipped to him, acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo previously said. (See related: Palisades Parkway Police Chief Bought Cocaine, Arrested: Official)

Coppola was suspended as chief of the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department and resigned from the position less than a week later.

After Coppola purchased cocaine on the internet, detectives placed a package containing imitation cocaine in the post office box, the acting prosecutor stated.

Coppola picked up the package, which he thought had cocaine inside, at a post office box, Calo stated. Coppola was arrested during a motor vehicle stop by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office on Route 80 East in Ridgefield Park, he said.

Calo's office in July 2018 painted a picture that the Palisades Interstate Park Police Department is reckless, chased people around needlessly, and awarded officers with the most with meal allowances in a report released last month, NorthJersey.com previously reported.

Coppola was suspended for three months as a result of the behavior, according to the report.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Chief Michael J. Coppola, 43, of Totowa (Bergen County Prosecutor's Office)