Inmate found with fentanyl, suboxone and meth at county jail

Mark Herrera, 37, of Rio Rancho, was charged with bringing contraband into jail on Sept. 29 after corrections personnel found drugs in his possession.

Herrera is currently in jail for contempt of court in a case where he was charged with resisting, evading or obstructing law enforcement.

Sandoval County Detention Center corrections officers called dispatch regarding possible drugs found on Herrera during a strip search.

A correction officer told deputies that during a routine cell check, they noticed an inmate appeared to be under the influence of drugs. They conducted a strip search of the inmate but didn’t find any contraband and took them for medical treatment.

The corrections officer said they found five other inmates that were also under the influence. An inmate informant let officers know that it was Herrera who was distributing.

When Herrera was strip searched, officers found a cellophane package 115 containing fentanyl pills,63 multiple orange strips of suboxone and 3.1 grams of crystal meth.

Herrera will have a hearing Oct. 24 for a preliminary examination. If found guilty for the new charges, Herrera will face 2-10 additional years in state prison.