Pot bag 'pops,' injures officer
The Daily News
Published October 18, 2008
GALVESTON — A bullet concealed in a garbage bag of
marijuana exploded Friday and injured a Galveston community service officer, a police spokesman said.
Kriss Garcia was helping police dispose of old
marijuana no longer needed as evidence in a narcotics case, said Capt. Walter Braun, of Galveston police.
“Apparently, there was a live round in one of the burning bags,” Braun said. “They heard something pop. The projectile fired and hit Kriss in the forearm.”
Garcia, who is not a police officer but is employed by the city to handle many tasks, wasn’t seriously injured, Braun said.
“When it was complete, he drove down to Mainland (Medical) Center for treatment for the wound that wasn’t life-threatening,” Braun said.
The incident happened in Montgomery County, where Galveston police use the sheriff’s incinerator to dispose of old evidence, Braun said.
Garcia said he didn’t think much of the incident at first, believing glass or metal burst. He went to the hospital after the finishing the job.
“The primer of the bullet wedged into my arm and the casing hit me below the belt,” Garcia said. “I kept going and saw a bump on my arm. It was bleeding a little bit, but after I examined it, I knew something was in there.”
Garcia said he spent about two hours at the hospital and was treated and released.