PA. POLICE CHIEF ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A small-town police chief who prosecutors said repeatedly
smoked seized marijuana while on duty was arrested on drug possession and
other charges Wednesday.

Police Chief Brian S. Cara, of Weatherly, in northeastern Pennsylvania, was
released on personal-recognizance bail after his arraignment on charges of
possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, obstruction of justice and
attempted obstruction.

The state attorney general's office said a grand jury heard evidence that
cocaine and marijuana had disappeared from the Carbon County police
department's evidence locker since 2002.

Cara, 38, did not immediately return a phone message left at his home. It
was unclear whether he was represented by a lawyer. Cara has been suspended
with pay since investigators searched his office in August.

Prosecutors said sealed evidence envelopes containing cocaine were
discovered opened and emptied, and that at least twice Cara told other
officers that missing drugs may have exploded while inside the evidence locker.

Using a hidden video camera, state drug agents on Aug. 2 allegedly observed
Cara smoking pot on duty nine times, then numerous other times over the
next two days. Prosecutors said Cara was seen filling a pipe with marijuana
and then putting it in his breast pocket before going on patrol.

Police officers also recounted drug cases that were not investigated,
evidence containers that had been tampered with, and drugs and
paraphernalia that turned up in a desk drawer Cara used, the attorney
general's office said.