Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Deaths linked to heroin

El Defensor Chieftain Reports

Socorro Police and other area law enforcement agencies are investigating a pair of apparent overdose deaths that occurred earlier this week.

The incidents — both tentatively attributed to heroin — claimed the lives of 21-year-old Daniel Chavez, of Socorro, and 28-year-old Michael Montoya, of Magdalena.

Although details are somewhat sketchy, SPD detective Richard Lopez said the deaths appear to be accidental overdoses.

"We had two deaths — one Sunday (May 17) and one Monday (May 18) — that appear to be heroin overdoses," Lopez said during a May 18 interview.

Although the deaths occurred around the same time, Chavez apparently died in Socorro while Montoya died in Magdalena. Investigators say it's too early to determine any link between the two incidents.

Regardless, Lopez said heroin use is on the rise in Socorro.

"It's really starting to increase quite a bit," he said. "We're seeing more and more heroin in and around Socorro."

Ambulance personnel notified police of the apparent overdoses.

During Monday's Socorro City Council meeting, Mayor Ravi Bhasker called the events of the last several days "terrible," and urged citizens to be cautious.

"It's been a bad, bad time for the City of Socorro. It started with the swine flu and then there have been a few deaths, including some heroin overdoses, Bhasker said. "Everybody needs to be cautious and safe. Some of the things going around — I never thought would happen in Socorro. The last two weeks have been terrible for families."

The mayor said his "red flag is way up" after hearing the news about the overdoses. He assured residents that the police are on the case.

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