Police Seize $1,200 In Heroin

By John Larson

SOCORRO – A Socorro man was arraigned in Magistrate Court Tuesday on one second degree felony count of possession of heroin. Arthur Jojola, 32, was arrested Friday, Oct. 22, by city police after receiving a tip that he was driving down from Belen with “a load of heroin” and that he would be arriving in a maroon Dodge Intrepid at about 12:30 p.m.
According to the criminal complaint, officers were waiting at the north end of town when the vehicle in question pulled into the McDonald’s parking lot.
“Sgt. [Richard] Lopez and myself observed a female getting into the car and we pulled our unit up behind Arthur’s car,” Detective Rocky Fernandez said. “We walked up to both sides of the vehicle just when Arthur was observed pulling a large plastic baggie out of his pocket. He must not have seen us because he was in the process of making a deal. Sgt. Lopez told Arthur not to move and Arthur quickly put the bag back into his pocket.”
The complaint said that Arthur Jojola admitted to having the narcotics on his person. He was handcuffed and the heroin was taken as evidence.
The baggie contained 4.3 grams of heroin, which is estimated to have a street value of up to $1,200.
A search of the woman’s car revealed no drugs. She was interviewed and released.
As of press time, Jojola is being held in the Socorro County Detention Center on a $15,000 cash or surety bond. If convicted he faces nine years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Chief of Police George Van Winkle praised all the officers involved in the continuing narcotics investigations and arrests.
“They do an outstanding job,” Van Winkle said. “With drugs now coming down from Belen, we’re not going to let up. Our officers will continue to go after these guys.”
Fernandez said heroin continues to be problematic in Socorro.
“Meth and cocaine, and even marijuana fluctuates in demand, but heroin is usually steady,” he said. “Also, when you buy it around here you don’t really know what you’re getting, and how easy it is to OD.”

Police Seize $1,200 In Heroin