Man arrested for DUI found with cocaine

Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Derrick Contreras was arrested for DUI and possession of a narcotic drug. He was released pending charging after blood test results are in and a review of the case by prosecutors.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

SAFFORD – An early-morning DUI arrest also led to the seizure of a small amount of cocaine, Saturday, June 15. 

According to a Safford Police report, an officer on patrol eastbound on U.S. Highway 70 pulled over a vehicle for speeding at about 2:08 a.m.

The driver, Derrick Contreras, reportedly smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot, watery eyes. The driver advised he was coming from Pima and said he had drunk two alcoholic beverages that night, according to the report. 

Contreras failed a field sobriety test and declined to submit to a portable breath/alcohol test. He was then arrested for DUI and taken into custody. 

While being searched, the officer found a glass vial in Contreras’ pocket that contained cocaine. The report stated Contreras acknowledged the cocaine and said he had last used some roughly 30 minutes prior to being stopped by the police. 

A sober driver arrived and took possession of the truck Contreras was driving since his passengers were also reportedly intoxicated. The officer searched the truck prior to its release and did not locate any other contraband. 

Contreras was then taken to the Safford Police Department, where a blood draw was taken for testing purposes. He was informed that he would also be charged with possession of a narcotic drug for the cocaine and that a DUI charge would be pending the results of the blood test and review by prosecutors. He was then released at the police department to a sober party.