Richmond cop had marijuana at Oakley home, police say

A Richmond police officer is being investigated in a marijuana case after police say pot was found at the officer’s Oakley home. A Richmond police officer is being investigated in a marijuana case after police say pot was found at the officer’s Oakley home. Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Richmond cop had marijuana at Oakley home, police say 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A Richmond police officer is on paid administrative leave after authorities found marijuana at his Oakley home, police said Tuesday.

The department has launched an internal investigation of the officer, said Richmond police Capt. Mark Gagan. “The case has employment and criminal implications, and the DA is reviewing our findings,” Gagan said.

Gagan declined to identify the officer. A source close to the investigation, however, identified him as K-9 Officer Joe Avila, 43, who has been with the department for about 15 years.

The source said a “large amount of marijuana” was found at Avila’s home when police served a search warrant last month. The officer is cooperating, police said.

An attorney for Avila was not immediately available for comment Tuesday evening.

Henry K. Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: hlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @henryklee