New York City Firefighter accused of selling drugs in front of firehouse, near schools

RED HOOK, Brooklyn (WABC) -- A New York City firefighter is under arrest after authorities say he sold drugs in front of his firehouse and near schools in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Investigators say 33-year-old Daniel Torres sold drugs like Vicodin and Xanax, and in one case, gave the buyer a sample of heroin.

He is charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal sale of a controlled substance on or near school grounds. He is being held on $25,000 bail.

Torres, of Rahway, New Jersey, was taken into custody Tuesday morning as a result of a long-term wiretap investigation. He served as a member of Engine 279/Ladder 131 in Red Hook and was reassigned this fall to the FDNY Recruitment Unit.

Officers stopped Torres as he was driving to work at approximately 6:10 a.m. on the Staten Island Expressway.

He allegedly sold the narcotics in front of the Red Hook firehouse, which is three blocks away from a childcare center called the Choo Choo Train Daycare, as well as at a nearby gas station that is a block from the Al-Noor School, an Islamic private high school.

FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying "these are very serious charges that - if true - will result in his termination as a firefighter."