That Secret Herb That Makes Meatballs Taste Better

A police detective is fighting for his job after testing positive for marijuana, allegedly from his wife’s cooking:

A veteran NYPD detective accused of using marijuana is offering a novel defense: He says his wife spiked his meatballs with pot in a misguided attempt to force him to retire, the Daily News has learned.

Detective Anthony Chiofalo, a 22-year veteran who is facing possible dismissal from the force and loss of his pension, convinced a department trial commissioner this week he was innocent.

But the final word will come from Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, who will decide whether he believes Chiofalo was a victim of marijuana meatballs.

“If this story is true, then he really shouldn’t be fired,” said a high-ranking police official yesterday.

Last year, Chiofalo tested positive for marijuana after he submitted a hair sample as part of random drug testing which cops of all ranks are subject to, sources said.

Chiofalo initially suspected that he had inhaled second-hand smoke from his wife, who smokes weed to deal with back pain, sources said. But when she was questioned by his lawyer, she admitted her pot plot, the sources said.