An erratic driver on Interstate 25 caught the attention of a Denver police officer early Saturday, which led to the capture of three New Mexico men who were carrying tar heroin with a street value of up to $200,000, officials said.
Marcos Gutierrez, 23; Jose Almanza, 29; and Emilio Holguin, 35, were being held at the Denver County Jail for investigation of drug importation, said Lynn Kimbrough, spokeswoman for the Denver district attorney’s office.
Denver police and federal agents confiscated nearly 2 1/2 pounds of tar heroin in two large chunks hidden behind the glove box of a car.
Officers saw a car weaving on I-25 near Hampden Avenue at about 4 a.m. Saturday, Kimbrough said. After stopping the car, officers found about 39 ounces of heroin inside.
“We know the interstates are being used to transport illegal drugs. This investigation further confirms that fact,” said Jeffrey D. Sweetin, special agent in charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration. “The best eyes in these cases are the patrol officers who are on the front lines.
“This was a great cooperative effort between Denver police, the DEA and the Denver district attorney’s office.”
According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, black tar heroin resembles roofing tar and can be hard like coal.
Sniffing or smoking heroin has increased in popularity because of the availability of high-purity heroin and the fear of sharing needles, according to the federal agency’s website.
Kimbrough said the heroin confiscated Saturday was extremely high quality.
Following the initial euphoria, the user will be drowsy for several hours with clouded mental functions and slow cardiac function. Breathing is slowed, possibly to the point of death.
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
