San Jose Fire Captain Charged with Narcotics Theft from 17 Stations

San Jose Fire Department Captain Mark Moalem, a 22-year veteran, has been charged with multiple felony offenses for allegedly stealing and tampering with painkillers and sedatives intended for emergency patients. Authorities say Moalem, previously arrested for drug-related offenses in 2013, is accused of removing and replacing drugs such as morphine and midazolam from secured fire station supplies, with evidence of tampering found at 17 of the city’s 34 fire stations. The allegations came to light after a vial of morphine was discovered tampered with at Station 4 and morphine administered to a patient failed to provide pain relief. Investigators tracked Moalem’s vehicle near the time and location of the thefts using surveillance and license plate readers, and a search of his home yielded drug paraphernalia and fire department narcotics supplies. Moalem was also observed at stations where he was not assigned, sometimes while off duty, near areas where narcotics were stored. He is currently on leave and faces arraignment, with the District Attorney emphasizing the breach of community trust and safety caused by his actions.