Besides the drugs in the purse, troopers also found four syringes filled with suspected heroin, three syringes with a clear liquid, 16 empty syringes, five spoons with suspected heroin residue, a large rubber band and some Zicam, a common cold remedy.
Carlson said Zicam could be evidence of heroin use because heroin abuse can cause a person's nose to run.
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1/1/2010 2:29:00 PM
heroin found A traffic stop on Dec. 16 uncovered 1.4 grams of heroin belonging to Laura Patillo. Both Patillo (left) and Justin Kenner (right) were booked into the Park County Jail on outstanding warrants. (Jail photos)
Heroin discovered during routine traffic stop
Mike Potter
Staff Writer
About 1.4 grams of heroin were discovered during a routine traffic stop on Dec. 16 south of Fairplay on U.S. 285.
Laura Patillo and Justin Kenner were booked into Park County Jail on Dec. 16 for outstanding warrants that were discovered after the two were stopped for speeding by Colorado State Patrol Trooper Alan Minturn.
The heroin was found in a purse inside the vehicle.
Patillo, who was driving the vehicle, was booked into jail on a felony warrant from New Mexico for dangerous drugs, and Justin Kenner was booked on a warrant for failure to appear.
The heroin, along with drug paraphernalia that included syringes loaded with suspected heroin, were found in Patillo's purse inside the vehicle.
Patillo is facing charges of class 3 drug possession in Park County.
Kenner is not facing the drug possession charge because the drugs were discovered in Patillo's purse.
Colorado State Patrol Trooper Dirk Carlson said the heroin was discovered during a routine search of the vehicle, which was conducted because it had to be towed.
He said law enforcement officers will usually search and inventory items inside the car when it must be towed to protect the owner of the property from theft in case some items turn up missing.
After discovering the drugs in the purse, neither Patillo nor Kenner claimed ownership of the bag until later in the investigation, when Patillo admitted that the purse was hers.
Besides the drugs in the purse, troopers also found four syringes filled with suspected heroin, three syringes with a clear liquid, 16 empty syringes, five spoons with suspected heroin residue, a large rubber band and some Zicam, a common cold remedy.
Carlson said Zicam could be evidence of heroin use because heroin abuse can cause a person's nose to run. |
