Heroin addict gets aggravated DUI

Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Zachari Cordova, 30, was arrested and booked into the jail on charges of aggravated DUI, misconduct involving weapons, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Passenger booked on warrant and drug paraphernalia charge

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

SAFFORD  – A couple addicted to heroin were both arrested and booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Facility on Wednesday, Aug. 14, after recognizing the driver from a recent DUI and his passenger, who had an active warrant for her arrest. 

According to a Safford Police report, the officer watched the vehicle pull into a Circle K parking lot. A female, identified as Sarah Inez Weeks, 26, got out of the car and entered the store. When she returned, the officer followed the vehicle as it entered the Silver Creek Trailer Park and conducted a traffic stop after Graham County Dispatch confirmed Weeks had a warrant regarding theft charges. 

Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Sarah Weeks, 26, was arrested and booked into the jail on her warrant and a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

The officer approached Weeks and informed her of her warrant. He also advised against bringing anything illegal into the jail. At that time, Weeks advised that she was in possession of drug paraphernalia. 

The driver, identified as Zachari Colton Cordova, 30, was found to be driving illegally due to driver restrictions from a recent DUI charge. Additionally, Cordova admitted to using heroin earlier that day and methamphetamine within the last two days. He was then arrested for aggravated DUI, according to the report. 

A Heritage .22-caliber pistol was also found underneath the driver’s seat and Cordova was charged with misconduct involving weapons/prohibited possession of a firearm. Cordova advised the gun belonged to his mother and he didn’t know it was there. The car also was registered in his mother’s name.

Officers attempted to get a blood sample for DUI testing purposes but were unable to procure one due to Cordova’s extensive intravenous drug use, according to police reports. Instead, his urine was taken for testing purposes. 

Cordova was then booked into the jail, but during intake, a piece of tin foil with drug residue was found after it fell out of his pant leg. Cordova advised he thought he had placed the tin foil on the floorboard of the car and didn’t realize it was still on him. He was then booked into the jail on charges of aggravated DUI, misconduct involving weapons and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Weeks was booked into the jail on her warrant and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Since officers were unable to contact the registered owner of the car, it was towed from the scene.