Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
Earlier in July, Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) investigators learned that a man was transporting crystal meth into Kalamazoo County. This led to the arrest on July 23rd of 36-year-old Buddy Parker of Fairfield, Ohio, who according to reports was trafficking the drug in from California.
In the course of the investigation members of the KVET team learned that Parker intended to bring in about five pounds of the crystal meth from California, an amount with a street value of more than $300,000. Parker was arrested before delivery of the drugs occurred, and was reportedly in possession of three handguns, one of which was loaded, and a substantial amount of cash. Reports also claim more meth, money, and guns were discovered when officials searched Parker’s Ohio home.
KVET, along with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Undercover Regional Narcotics Taskforce investigated the case. The handguns and money said to be in Parker’s possession were found in his vehicle when a search was conducted by authorities.
Butler County Sgt. Jason Owens said Parker was moving a shipment of crystal meth that was not manufactured in Fairfield, and that the majority of the drug is manufactured “south of the border.” According to Owens, the rise in use of the drug can be attributed to the fact that those using Vivitrol for heroin addiction can still experience a high with crystal meth. Vivitrol is said to block pain relief and other effects of opioid medications such as oxycodone, fentanyl, and heroin that often lead to abuse/addiction.
Parker has been charged with possession with intent to distribute, delivery of methamphetamine, and felon in possession of a firearm.
The question criminal defense attorneys have when an individual is charged with a drug crime is whether law enforcement followed proper procedures, or the defendant’s constitutional rights were violated in any way. Illegal searches occur when police search a person’s home, vehicle, or body without reasonable cause or suspicion. People are protected by what are deemed to be unreasonable search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution. When evidence is obtained in a way that is unlawful, that evidence may not be allowed in court. This could make for a very weak case for the prosecution, and in fact could result in charges being dropped.
Police can lawfully search a person’s home, vehicle, or body without a search warrant if the suspect gives consent, which should never happen whether the suspect is innocent or guilty. When a suspect fails to consent, police often use tactics to intimidate or “strike fear” into that person, such as saying if he/she doesn’t consent they will obtain a search warrant. Don’t be fooled – without probable cause, a warrant cannot be obtained. The fact that a person refuses to consent to a search is not probable cause.
Certainly there are drug dealers all over the U.S. today who manufacture and distribute illegal substances such as crystal meth, heroin, cocaine, even oxycontin. However, there are also doctors who are pressured by big pharma into prescribing what seem to be the most dangerous and addictive drugs in treating patients’ pain such as fentanyl and oxycodone. Media has been saturated with reports in recent months regarding these addictive and even deadly prescription drugs. Drug trafficking kills, and so does big pharma.