Iowa City man arrested for selling crack, fake heroin

Iowa City police arrested an Iowa City man Wednesday on numerous drug charges for allegedly selling them crack cocaine and fake heroin over a year ago.

Officers conducted a controlled purchase of 2.3 grams of substance purported to be heroin and .3 grams of substance purported to be crack cocaine on Sept. 22, 2008 from Nathan C. Howard, 36, of 2109 Western Rd, according to police.

Police said the purchase was made with the help of a secret informant for $150.

Another controlled purchase from Howard was conducted by the informant on Sept. 29, 2008 where $150 worth of heroin was sold, and on Oct. 29, 2008, another $100 worth of heroin was sold, according to criminal complaints.

But in all three cases, police said the heroin was found to be fake. Regardless, Howard was charged with three counts of delivery of heroin, and one count of delivery of crack cocaine.

Sgt. Troy Kelsay said under Iowa Code, it is illegal to “manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, a counterfeit substance, or a simulated controlled substance.”

Since Howard reported the drug to be heroin, he faces the same charges as if it was real, Kelsay said.

Howard remains in the Johnson County Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond.