Heroin user caught promoting prison contraband after paraphernalia is found in feminine hygiene product

Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: The Sheriff's Office will utilize Governor’s Office of Highway Safety funds for DUI abatement.

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: A woman arrested on a warrant was found to have drug paraphernalia hidden in her sock.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

SAFFORD – A woman who absconded from probation had additional charges levied against her after she was picked up for a warrant.

According to a Safford Police report, Vanessa Tellez, 30, was spotted by probation officers on Tuesday, June 12, as she crossed the street near the intersection of U.S. Highway 70 and 1st Avenue. The probation officers knew Tellez had an active warrant for her arrest and informed the Safford Police. Tellez actually had two warrants, one for failing to appear on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and promoting prison contraband and second stemming from a charge of possession of burglary tools.

A Safford officer responded to the area at about 10:30 a.m. and saw Tellez walking with a man northbound in the 400 block of 1st Avenue. The officer reported that he called out Tellez’s name and told her to stop. At that point, Tellez allegedly looked back at the officer and then began running away westbound on 4th Street. Tellez then ran into the apartments at 115 W. 4th Street and was later found hiding in a backyard, according to the report.

Tellez was arrested on her warrant and booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Facility. During her intake, detention officers located a feminine hygiene product hidden in her sock that contained a cut straw with a piece of cotton with heroin residue.

Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Vanessa Tellez

Tellez allegedly admitted the straw and cotton would have heroin residue and said she last used the drug that morning.

The booking process then went forward and the officer advised he would send his report to the Graham County Attorney’s Office for possible charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and promoting prison contraband.