Articles Posted in Drug Possession

In recent days, police and various law enforcement agencies performed a sting operation that resulted in the arrests of 68 individuals in the Prince William County area of Virginia, according to Potomac Local. Suspects were also found in Manassas and Manassas Park.

Police in Prince William dubbed the drug operation “dragon slayer.” Some of the substances the operations was targeting included heroin, prescriptions drugs, cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy. The 68 arrests came at the end of the investigation, which was conducted by Prince William County, Manassas city, and Manassas Park Narcotics Task Force.

Reports claim that search warrants were executed at 13 locations and that six additional locations were also searched. Warrants were also obtained by police for 86 individuals. Investigators seized multiple firearms, drug paraphernalia, and more than $100,000 in cash in addition to the drugs.

In November of 2013, 40 individuals were arrested in Prince William under “Operation Blue Dragon.” In these latest arrests, police not only enforced Virginia law, but made educational materials, staff, and other resources available to arrestees in an effort to help the individuals understand substance abuse and pursue the help they need.

While news reports do not indicate the specific charges those involved face, Michigan drug crime attorneys know the consequences of being convicted of the possession or distribution of illegal drugs and narcotics. Depending on whether an individual is charged with possession of a drug, or possession with intent to distribute or deliver, the criminal penalties in Michigan may range from jail time to a substantial number of years or even life in prison, along with thousands or even millions in fines. Other factors which determine criminal penalties include the type and amount of drug involved, and the individual’s criminal history.

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On Thursday June 12, three individuals were arrested in connection with manufacturing and possession of marijuana, according to a news article at the Mountain View Voice. The article claims that Mountain View police raided a building after securing a search warrant, discovering more than 800 marijuana plants.

Police seized the pot found at the building, which was estimated to have a street value of about $500,000. The Mountain View Police Department maintains a blog, which stated that in seizing the pot, police also seized a number of handguns, an assault rifle, and other illegal weapons. These items were found upon investigating the building located at 1132 Independence Ave. Police also recovered fans, industrial lamps, and other equipment used in the process of growing marijuana.

A few days after searching the Mountain View operation, police searched two homes in San Jose which they believed to be connected to the operation. In one home they located more than 30 lbs. of packaged marijuana and additional firearms. The other residence produced methamphetamine, two military-grade grenades, and illegal weapons.

Those arrested include 29-year-old Abby Rose, 33-year-old Semir Metovic, and 32-year-old Tito Hernandez. All face charges including manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sale, felon in possession of a firearm, and other charges.

The building where police initially searched is located behind Costco in an industrial section of Mountain View. Police are uncertain of how long the drug operation has been going on.

Manufacturing and distributing controlled substances is a very common and very serious crime that goes on across the U.S. today. Michigan drug crime defense attorneys know that if found guilty of the charges against them, the defendant’s in this case will face serious punishment, which will likely include substantial fines and jail/prison time.

In the state of Michigan, individuals who are convicted of marijuana possession with intent will face serious consequences which depend on the offender’s criminal history, and the amount of drug involved. Marijuana is a Schedule 1 substance, the most serious of all in terms of abuse and addiction. Possession of more than 200 pot plants with the intent to manufacture, sell, or distribute the marijuana will leave the offender facing fines of up to $10,000,000 along with prison time of up to 15 years. The manufacture of more than 100 marijuana plants in Michigan will result in charges at the federal level, which means even harsher penalties.

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On May 12, one of the largest drug raids in the history of Ohio took place at a residence in Newbury Township in Geauga County, according to various news sources. Four people were arrested and charged with first-degree felony possession of drugs. Authorities expect further charges when the case goes before a grand jury.

Sheriff’s deputies raided the home on Thursday evening seizing $128,000 in cash, ten loaded guns, steroids, 100 pounds of marijuana, six pounds of crystal meth, and one kilo of heroin which was described as pure, uncut black tar heroin. Sheriff Dan McClelland said that the street value of the drugs seized in the raid was estimated to be about $1.5 million.

An AK-47 assault rifle and SKS assault rifle were among the weapons seized at the residence. Detectives also seized a Jaguar, Cadillac Escalade, a box truck, what detectives described as “extremely sophisticated” audio recording equipment, and other property said to be valued at $2 million.

Authorities began investigating the residence on Park View Drive in early June after observing a truck that was parked on the street. The sheriff said that after speaking with the people associated with the truck, suspicion was aroused because of the vague and nondescript answers the people gave. After obtaining a search warrant, investigators ultimately found a hidden room in the basement of the home. The room where they found two safes filled with the majority of the drugs seized from the home was located behind a fabricated wall.

Those arrested include Ohio resident Raymond Utt, no age given, 36-year-old Jacquelyn Sanchez of Puerto Rico, 21-year-old Omar Lopez, a Mexican illegal alien, and 43-year-old Dominick Bangera of the UK. Lopez and Bangera were considered flight risks and denied bond; Sanchez and Utt are each held on $1 million cash or surety bond.

News reports indicated there was no sign that drugs were being manufactured in the home. Most defense attorneys would agree that there is no doubt the individuals involved will likely be charged with distributing or trafficking drugs in addition to the possession charges, at the very least.

In Michigan, possession of illicit drugs including heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine can lead to extremely serious consequences for those convicted. If charged with possession with intent to distribute/deliver, the consequences become even more serious. In fact, in some situations an individual may face up to life in prison along with fines of up to $1 million. The penalties a person faces if found guilty of a drug crime depend on factors including the type of drug and schedule (Schedule 1 drugs are the most addictive and dangerous) and the amount of the substance involved, along with the defendant’s criminal history. For example, when someone is charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin and the amount involved is between 50 and 449 grams, that individual may be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.

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On Sunday evening, two men were arrested on Mt. Washington at a home owned by Mississippi State assistant coach Deshea Townsend, according to news reports at CBS and USA Today. Authorities do not suspect that Townsend is in any way involved in the heroin bust. The property near Pittsburgh is an investment property managed by a rental agent employed by Townsend.

As law enforcement conducted the large heroin bust, neighbors in the area said that they had no idea any drug activity was going on, and that they keep an eye out on the neighborhood. Many were surprised that such a large operation was being handled at the townhouse, which was believed to be the distribution point of what authorities called a “major heroin operation.”

While investigating the home, the DEA and other law enforcement agencies discovered 16 firearms, Cuban cigars, two luxury vehicles, jewelry and cash valued at more than $100,000, and 75,000 stamped bags (1500 bricks) of heroin. The two men arrested were 35-year-old James Perrin and 33-year-old Price Montgomery.

The two suspects were pulled over early Sunday morning while driving an Audi SUV. Police found heroin in the Audi, and executed a search warrant on the home. Perrin and Montgomery are charged with illegal possession of firearms, possession of heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin, belonging to a corrupt organization, and criminal conspiracy.

Distributing heroin and other illegal drugs is a serious problem not only in Pennsylvania, but across the country. Lawmakers and law enforcement continue to crack down on offenders as penalties become tougher in an effort to reduce the amount of drug activity that goes on in our nation. In Michigan, the criminal penalties for those found guilty of possession of heroin with intent to distribute are extremely harsh, and include 20 years to life in prison depending on the amount of heroin involved. Those convicted will also face fines of up to $1 million.

Heroin is a Schedule 1 drug; drugs in this category are the most dangerous and highly abused of all, which is why the punishment for possessing or selling these drugs is so severe. In fact, even if an individual is arrested for possessing heroin, police and/or prosecutors may attempt to “trump up” the charge to a possession with intent charge if the amount a person is in possession of seems to be more than would be considered normal for personal use.

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On Saturday, May 31, two men were arrested and charged with drug, traffic, and weapons offenses following a chase by an officer who was attempting to pull the men over for a seat belt violation. According to The Leaf Chronicle, the incident occurred in Clarksville and resulted in the arrest of 20-year-old Charles Marqueese Riley, and 31-year-old Michael Paul Hunt.

Riley was allegedly driving the vehicle; according to the news article, Hunt was observed by the officer not wearing a seat belt. When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle as it turned onto Commerce Street, Riley continued on running traffic lights and stop signs before eventually coming to a stop in the 400 block of Wall Street. During the chase, the officer noticed that a plastic bag and weapon were tossed from the vehicle in the area of Hiter Street. A sheriff’s deputy then went to investigate and discovered 6.3 grams of marijuana in the plastic bag, along with a .357-caliber handgun.

While both men are facing several charges, Riley is charged with possession of marijuana, DUI, violation of the state’s implied consent law, felony evading arrest, driving on a revoked license, tampering with evidence (two charges), and more. Riley had been found guilty of aggravated robbery approximately 18 months ago according to a warrant. Hunt, the passenger of the vehicle, faces simple drug possession charges along with tampering with evidence and convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

In Tennessee, possessing any amount of marijuana is a misdemeanor offense when it is the individual’s first offense. A conviction will result in fines of up to $2,500 and up to one year in jail. In the state of Michigan, a first offense for possession of pot is also a misdemeanor, one that will leave the accused facing up to one year in jail and fines of up to $2,000. However, according to the Michigan Penal Code 333.7401, anyone who is found to be cultivating marijuana plants (or in possession of plants) will face a minimum of four years in jail and a maximum of 15 years in prison, depending on the number of plants involved.

It is important to note that individuals who have a medical marijuana license may legally possess up o 2.5 ounces or 12 plants. However, even those who are permitted to grow or possess pot may face criminal charges in situations where they have more than allowed by law.

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On Thursday May 22, at least 12 individuals were arrested following arrest raids conducted by more than 60 law enforcement officers in Auburn and Lewiston. According to the Portland Press Herald, a federal investigation had been ongoing for several months as authorities worked to uncover those involved in the trafficking of cocaine, oxycodone, and heroin in Androscoggin County. Portland U.S. District Court records indicate that authorities expected to make additional arrests in the coming days.

Several agencies worked together in conducting the arrest raids including the FBI, the U.S. DEA, Lewiston and Auburn police departments, Maine State Police and DEA, federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In the course of the arrests, authorities also seized firearms, drugs, and at least one vehicle according to Lewiston Police Chief Michael Bussiere.

On May 20, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a nine-count indictment that led to authorities securing arrest warrants for 16 people. On the morning of May 22, law enforcement authorities began bringing those who had been arrested to courtrooms to face the judges on charges which range from unlawful use of a communication facility to felony drug trafficking conspiracy. Punishment for the drug offenses range from four years in prison to fines of as much as $5 million and 40 years in prison, according to the article.

Romelly “Marcus” Dastinot, a 33-year-old Lewiston resident, was the lead name on the indictment. He was arrested on charges of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone related to a March 22 incident, and conspiracy to traffic more than 100 grams of heroin, 28 or more grams of cocaine, and oxycodone in connection with offenses ranging over a time period beginning in early 2012 and continuing through May of this year. Others arrested in the raid range in age from 22 to 52.

All crimes involving illegal drugs or narcotics are serious, whether an individual is accused of being in possession of an illicit substance, manufacturing the drug, or distributing/delivering it. Naturally, someone who is found to be trafficking drugs will face punishment that is more severe than someone who possesses a small amount of marijuana or meth; however, the consequences can affect you for life. An arrest and conviction will leave you with a criminal record, and possibly a ruined reputation and career.

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Gale Joseph Young, a San Francisco man who was found guilty of possessing crack cocaine in 2008, recently had his conviction overturned by a federal appeals court.  The appeals court determined that the DNA linking Young to the crime was not reliable.  Unfortunately, Young had already served out his prison term of almost six years when the decision was made.  Nathaniel Garrett, Young’s attorney, said that Young served his time, but cannot get it back.

According to a news article at SFGate, Young was at the police station in June of 2008 being questioned regarding a case which was unrelated to the drug possession case.  After being strip searched to determine if Young had any drugs on his body, he was released.  Officers later discovered 14 grams of crack cocaine in a plastic bag lying on the floor.  DNA tests were performed which showed that the majority of the DNA on the bag belonged to women, while a “low-copy number DNA” matched a male.

Young was convicted of possession of crack cocaine in 2012, although he had remained in jail since his arrest in 2008.  An expert witness called to testify by prosecutors at Young’s trial claimed that Young could not be excluded as the individual whose DNA was found on the bag.  He was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison, a term he served out before being exonerated by the appellate court.  The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the DNA evidence was simply too weak to support Young’s conviction. Continue reading