
The Intoxilyzer 8000 is a breath alcohol instrument which produces evidence of intoxication that is admissible in court.
Sheriff’s Corporal Trini Garcia, who oversees the Columbus substation, said the equipment will enhance efforts of Sheriff’s deputies and New Mexico State Police officers to get drunken drivers off the roads.
Garcia explained that State Police officers patrolling the Columbus area have access to equipment at the substation.
This is the third intoxilyzer owned by the Sheriff’s Department.
The new Intoxilyzer 8000 cost nearly $7,400 and was purchased with County DWI Grant funds administered through the NM Department of Finance and Administration.
Sheriff’s Grant Administrator Lieutenant John Mooridian said the county was awarded over $8,900 and the funds have to be used for equipment related to DWI enforcement or prevention.
Mooridian said they also are donating $500 in CDWI grant funds to Class Act, the drug-free and alcohol-free after-graduation party.