ABQ police officer leaves evidence at scene

An Albuquerque police officer investigating a disturbance busted a man for heroin.  According to the criminal complaint, after making the arrest, the officer indicated he had possibly left some of the drugs on the curb. 

Albuquerque Police Department is calling this an honest, human mistake and an error the office immediately owned up to. 

The incident happened near the intersection of Rhode Island St. and Copper Ave. NE. According to the criminal complaint, the officer searched 29-year-old Mark Rodriguez for weapons, and found two hypodermic needles along with a scale.

 In addition, the officer removed a green, leafy substance wrapped in clear cellophane from Rodriguez's pocket, which the officer placed on the curb and continued his search. 

The key evidence that was not left behind is what landed Rodriguez with a felony charge.  It was a large, brown ball, also wrapped in cellophane, which the officer tested positive as heroin.

ABQ police officer leaves evidence at scene