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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Overheated car leads to heroin bust

Things went from bad to worse for a Colbert man whose car overheated outside a liquor store Thursday night.

Eric Joseph Powell, 24, was arguing with his female passenger in his overheated Toyota Corolla about 11:30 p.m. when Deputy Robert Brooke arrived to see why the car was parked in front of the closed Deer Park Liquor store, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

The passenger was calm, but Brooke said Powell was nervous and didn't keep his hands out of his pockets as requested.

When a deputy arrived as backup, Brooke "asked Powell what drugs he had on him" and Powell gave permission to remove items from his pocket, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Brooke found a dime-sized piece of tar heroin wrapped in plastic and another quantity in a container hanging around his neck. Deputies also found OxyContin and Amitriptyline, a prescription drug. Powell was booked into jail on three felony drugs charges; his passenger was release.



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