Man charged after shooting heroin behind school

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — A 44-year-old man was arrested midmorning on a Saturday, while sitting in his pickup in a field behind Mesa View Elementary School with a needle and syringe in his arm shooting up heroin, Grants Police said.

Henry Salazar, of 605 E. Stephens, is charged in connection with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and having a revoked license, according to Cibola County Magistrate Court records.

Grants Police Detective Amber Marez told the Independent that Salazar was seen coming from a house where neighbors had complained to police about possible drug activity in the 400 block of Anderman.

Sgt. Jason Fank was watching the house when Salazar arrived, spent a few moments in the house and left. Fank then followed Salazar resulting in the arrest, court records state.

Because of the arrest, a search warrant was obtained and the house was searched on Feb. 4, resulting in police finding more than 35 grams of marijuana and between $300-$400 in cash, Marez said.

When Fank approached the red Nissan pickup in which Salazar was sitting, Fank asked Salazar what drug he was shooting up and Salazar replied heroin, court records state. While searching the vehicle, Fank discovered a piece of aluminum foil with a black substance in it.

Salazar told Fank it was heroin.

Salazar faces a preliminary hearing on Feb. 19 in Magistrate Court.

He is ordered by the court to undergo random urinalysis and drug screenings.

Possession of a controlled substance is a fourth degree felony and is punishable by up to 18 months in state prison and a fine up to $5,000.

The two other charges are both misdemeanors and punishable by 364 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

In all, Salazar is facing two days short of 3 1/2 years and up to $7,000 in fines if he is prosecuted and convicted of all charges.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.