The principal of Western Hills Middle School has been placed on paid administrative leave after allegedly being found in possession of cocaine at T.F. Green Airport.

Anthony Corrente, 41, of Warwick, is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance. He was released on $5,000 personal recognizance bail, with his next court date scheduled for Aug. 25.

He was reportedly arrested Aug. 1 after Transportation Security Administration personnel discovered an “anomaly” in his checked bag, and airport police subsequently confirmed the presence of narcotics.

Ray Votto, chief operating officer for Cranston Public Schools, confirmed Corrente has been placed on leave “until we have an opportunity to review the issue.”

A Rhode Island native, Corrente has been principal at Western Hills since 2009. He previously worked as a middle school teacher and administrator for several years in Florida.

Votto said Tim Vesey, assistant principal at Western Hills, has been named interim principal.

“The parents and the staff have been notified of that,” he said.