Pubdate: Tue, 23 Nov 1999 Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM) Copyright: 1999 Albuquerque Journal Contact: P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103 Website: http://www.abqjournal.com/ Author: Associated Press COP ARRESTED ON COCAINE CHARGES ROSWELL -- A police detective responsible for collecting evidence has been arraigned on a drug charge after another detective found about a pound of cocaine in his desk, Chief Richard Campbell said. Mike Cooper, 48, appeared Monday before Magistrate Robert Corn on charges of embezzlement and possession of cocaine. He could be sentenced to up to three years in prison if convicted of both charges. Cooper has been placed on leave with pay. Corn released him under supervision. Campbell said at a news conference Monday that the cocaine was discovered Friday night, and that Cooper was questioned and arrested Saturday morning. Cooper cooperated with investigators, he said. "Although this is a situation that is awfully embarrassing to the police department, in retrospect we have a department that has a lot of integrity, and we have a police department that has a lot of members who work very hard to be professional," Campbell said. "One of the things that I think is very important about this particular case is we discovered this internally. "One of our own members of the department is the one who brought this to our attention, and although this was very difficult for him, demonstrates that we have a department that has very professional members." The cocaine came from evidence confiscated during a June investigation, Campbell said. He said the department is reviewing its process for tagging evidence to tighten the system. Cooper, a 10-year veteran, has spent the last year assigned to the technical services unit, which is responsible for documenting crime scenes and collecting evidence. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake