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Fire dept. spokesman, 2 sons arrested, facing drug charges

Garland Fire Department spokesman Merrill Balanciere and his two sons were arrested after police got a tip that drugs were distributed from their home

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Garland Fire Department spokesperson Merrill Balanciere and his sons, Merrill Balanciere Jr. and Christian Balanciere face drug charges.

Photo/Garland Police Dept

By FireRescue1 Staff

GARLAND, Texas — A fire department spokesman was arrested with his two sons on drug charges.

Dallas News reported that Garland Fire Department spokesperson Merrill Balanciere and his sons, Merrill Balanciere Jr. and Christian Balanciere, are in custody after police got a tip that drugs were distributed from their home.

The 26-year fire veteran and Balanciere Jr. face a charge of possession of Alprazolam less than 28 grams in a drug-free zone. The other son faces a possession of paraphernalia charge.

Balanciere Sr. has served in several roles in the fire department, including fire inspector in the fire marshal’s office.

The fire department plans to conduct an investigation into the allegations.