Raid at Socorro home nets unusual substance

Socorro police are waiting to find out exactly what it is they uncovered while executing a search warrant at a house on Annette Street on Saturday, Jan. 14.

The search was prompted by a call from a real estate agent who had been given authority by the owner to show the house to a prospective buyer. The tenants, whose names have not been released, were not at home. What the realtor saw prompted a call to the police, who notified the department's detectives.

Police Chief George Van Winkle said a search warrant was authorized based on the realtor's description of items, equipment and paraphernalia, which looked as though they might be related to growing or manufacturing illegal substances.

"What prompted the search warrant, in part, was that it looked like they were attempting to grow marijuana," Van Winkle said.

What law enforcement found, in addition to equipment and paraphernalia, was a substance that has not yet been 100 percent identified, and may or may not be some sort of designer drug.

"Until we get the tests back, we're not sure what we're dealing with," Van Winkle said. "It may or may not be illegal."

Police are waiting on the results of laboratory testing and a determination from the District Attorney's Office before they know whether or not they'll be pressing charges. Van Winkle said the testing could take a week, or it could take four weeks, depending on how busy the laboratory is.

The two male tenants weren't present when the search warrant was executed. However, when an officer was sent back to Annette Street to post an inventory of the materials confiscated, he found them at home.

"You have to go back and tell them what you took, or if they're not there, you have to post a list on the door," Assistant Chief Mike Winders said. "They were there, so the officer brought them back to the station for questioning."

After being questioned, the men were released. No charges have been filed yet, but may be pending. Until or unless a criminal complaint is filed against them, the police department is not releasing any further information.

"It's kind of an unusual situation," Winders said. "It's not something you see every day."

-- Email the author at sbarteau@dchieftain.com.