Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – In addition to being on the watch for shoplifters, stores also have to be wary of individuals taking advantage of their facilities to ingest illicit drugs.
On Friday, April 17, officers were dispatched at about 10:42 a.m. to Thriftee Food & Drug at 755 S. Central Ave. regarding a man who was unconscious on the floor of the restroom.
Upon arrival, an officer located a man – later identified as Frank Garcia – lying on the floor. Garcia was breathing but was not alert, according to the report.
The officer called for paramedics and then performed a sternum rub in an attempt to wake Garcia. While doing so, the officer noticed a blue bottle cap on the floor with a thick, dark liquid inside he believed to be heroin.
Garcia was revived and advised that he had a needle in his pocket. The needle was retrieved as well as a small plastic bag with a dark chunky substance that was found inside a cigarette pack. Garcia allegedly admitted the substance was heroin.
After initially being taken into custody and handcuffed, Garcia was later turned over to paramedics from Lifeline Ambulance, which transported him to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center for further treatment.
Garcia was found to be on federal probation and his probation officer was informed of the infraction. Prior to being taken to the hospital, the officer also informed Garcia that he was going to forward charges of possession of a narcotic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia to the Graham County Attorney’s Office.
