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Officer in Camden County arrested on drug charges

A Gloucester Township patrol officer was arrested on drug charges after purchasing prescription pills from a confidential informant while on duty, Chief Harry Earle announced Wednesday.

A Gloucester Township patrol officer was arrested on drug charges after purchasing prescription pills from a confidential informant while on duty, Chief Harry Earle announced Wednesday.

Tom Eden Jr., 31, was arrested around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday as he left a room at a Howard Johnson on North Black Horse Pike, where he bought five Percocet pills and two Oxycotin placebos during a police sting, Earle said.

Eden also had three Oxycodine and two Alprazolam pills in his possession, Earle said.

Eden was charged with offenses including possession of a controlled dangerous substance; possession of a controlled dangerous substance with an intent to distribute; and possession of an imitation controlled dangerous substance, police said.

He was wearing his uniform and driving a marked township patrol car at the time of his arrest. The seven-year veteran has been suspended without pay with intent to dismiss, Earle said.

Eden, who lives in the township, has been released on his own recognizance.

"I am angered that Mr. Eden allegedly abused his position of trust by violating the very laws he swore to uphold and defend," Earle told reporters at a news conference.

The actions Eden is accused of "are clearly not consistent with the ethical and moral standards" of the department, which has 178 sworn officers and civilian employees, Earle said.

Eden's attorney, Dennis Wixted, was awaiting details on the case. "My client is looking forward to his day in court," he said.

The charges stemmed from an Internal Affairs investigation that started after a civilian told a township officer that Eden was "illegally purchasing drugs, specifically pills," Earle said.

Authorities are still investigating whether the pills were for Eden's personal use or distribution.

They are reviewing arrests Eden has made, but "as of now there is no cause for concern," Earle said.

"What this incident shows is that this behavior will not be tolerated in Gloucester Township," Mayor David Mayer said.