SPECIAL REPORT: Texas and New Mexico officers prepare for high drivers
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico - New Mexicans can now legally buy marijuana for recreational use, but the technology to detect cannabis in a driver's system remains limited in both El Paso and Doña Ana counties.
“There’s really not a whole lot out there," said Deputy Fabian Fernandez, a drug recognition expert in Doña Ana County. "They have samples for saliva testings and there is urine testing. Our state does not recognize either one.”
If someone refuses a breathalyzer test for alcohol, they are automatically charged with aggravated DWI in New Mexico. However, Fernandez said there are no legal consequences for refusing a blood test.
"The blood is like the cherry on top," he said. "But it’s not necessary."
If a deputy suspects a person is driving while intoxicated, that driver will be asked to give a breathalyzer test. If the results are inconsistent with a with a deputy’s observation of intoxication, that deputy will call the on-call drug recognition expert.
Even if a person does not consent to a blood test, a deputy can still charge a driver with DWI based on his or her observation of intoxication. Drug recognition experts have the extra training to determine the cause of impairment.
“Yes, someone could use marijuana the night before or the week before and it would still be in their system," Deputy Fernandez explained. "But as far as impairment that day, all we’re looking for is that moment in time while they’re driving.”
Across the state line, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office worries Texas drivers will bring marijuana back from New Mexico.
“Stay in the state that it’s legal," warned El Paso County Sheriff's Commander Ryan Urrutia. "If you intend to consume it, don’t return to Texas with it, because if you are caught with it, you will be arrested and charged with possession.”
However, he said there are no plans for DWI checkpoints or increased patrols.
“We have informed our officers that these drugs are going to be available to our neighboring state," Urrutia said. "We will not do those checkpoints. By state law, we only do driver’s license and insurance checkpoints.”
Good lord. The puppets (officers) will be used for yet another form of revenue. Lol.
And they will get you sooner or later, alberto.
Hopefully he is stupid enough to bring over 8 ounces across the state line.
Remember Deputy Fernandez’ face alberto, he will be looking for you.
Really Madmike? You already have the address don’t you. Coward punk.
The EPPD has yours nitwit.
Probable cause pendejo BNmP. So a big FU.
Here is your probable cause. Enjoy your little chat with Secret Servicem alberto.This is what that nitwit fake charlie posted, before KVIA took it down:
CharlieEbdou says:
April 2, 2022 at 5:40 AM
The CIA and MI-6 should take him out. Putin and Trump too.
This was my reply: 18 U.S. Code § 879 – Threats against former Presidents and certain other persons
I got your probable cause between my legs Madmike.
You do know that is a felony to solicit a foreign goverment to k.i.ll a former p resident, don’t you?
Get him!
Alberto, enjoy your little “chat” with the Secret Service.
Fetch
Fetch the drug sniffing police dog.
It’s not like every cop in El Paso County doesn’t have alberta’s name and tag number.
He definitely doesn’t drive a $60,000 Tesla.
If they catch him with over 8 ounces, it is possession with intent to distribute.
Smoke ’em if you got ’em, boys!!
It’s Alberto the pothead. Aka High420Lonesome. Be sure to celebrate 4/20 there nitwit.
New Mexico drivers are already terrible. It’s going to get even worse.
Super medicine that helps PTSD, Pain, Arthritis, etc!!
It doesn’t help your mental disease you schizo nut job.
There isn’t one shred of evidence to support any of that. All it does is make you high so you don’t FEEL the pain. It does nothing to fix it or cure it.
Trash!
Bla Bla Bla. Yaaaawn.
Open wide nitwit.
Just like yo momma showed you BNMP.
Yo momma the Juarez w.h.o.r.e. nitwit.
I don’t go to Juarez. Only you and your pedophile cousins.
Psycho Alberto ranting at 4am. Can’t sleep. Consumes too much meth.
All the American whites like to go to Juarez for 10yr olds. Look at the history. All whiteeees.