Suspected Black Tar Heroin Dealer Arrested in Desoto Parish

Agents from the Desoto Parish Sheriff's office have arrested a Mansfield man suspected of dealing black tar heroin from his home.

An investigation was launched by the Narcotics Division in reference to illegal narcotics involving black tar heroin and crystal methamphetamine.  Agents were able to establish a suspect and locate a residence the narcotics were believed to be possessed and distributed from.

Investigators caught up with the suspect and seized 1 ounce of black tar heroin and 1 ounce of crystal methamphetamine, which was estimated to have a combined street value of about $2,700.00.  39-year-old Joey M. Comoza of Mansfield admitted to agents to using the narcotics for personal consumption as well as distributing them to other individuals.

Officers got Comoza's consent to search the home and discovered a large amount of drug paraphernalia commonly used in the consumption of narcotics.  Comoza is charged with possession of heroin with the intent to distribute and possession of schedule II CDS with the intent to distribute.

Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle issues a strong caution about black tar heroin. It is formed from the incomplete acetylation of morphine and is normally injected into the body intravenously and sometimes subcutaneous (into the skin, not directly into a vein).  The drug is known to be highly addictive due to it being an opioid and is considered highly dangerous.  The side effects include possible overdose due to the unknown purity of the drug, exposure to HIV and AIDS due to unsanitary conditions or the use of a single needle between multiple users, the narrowing and hardening of veins (known as venous sclerosis), as well as a much higher risk of life-threatening bacterial infections such as necrotizing fasciitis (also known as flesh eating bacteria).