Felony drug charges are especially serious as these types of offenses are prosecuted heavily and the penalties severe. There are several different angles that the defense can take depending on the particulars of the case, but in any situation involving a police search or seizure of illegal substances, probable cause and the police procedures are very important.
Two women on their way to Hartford, Connecticut, were arrested on Oct. 3 after police stopped the car on I-91 for weaving in and out of lanes and crossing the fog line. Officers had reportedly received a tip that the vehicle would be traveling on that road and that the two women would be transporting heroin. When officers stopped and searched the vehicle, they reportedly found 910 bags of heroin — worth an estimated $13,650 — in the car's trunk and another 14 bags on the 30-year-old driver.
Both the 30-year-old driver and her 26-year-old passenger were arrested. The 30-year-old has been charged with felony heroin trafficking, and the 26-year-old is facing felony heroin trafficking and a misdemeanor charge for violating conditions of release. They pleaded not guilty to the charges on Oct. 7 and were released from police custody.
Officers must have probable cause to search a vehicle, and the person's rights against illegal search and seizure must be protected during the investigation process. If the proper procedures are not followed, it may be possible for any evidence found during the search to be deemed inadmissible in court. Those who believe that they are the victims of illegal search and seizure can talk to a criminal defense attorney to get a better understanding of how the law applies to their cases.
Source: Newport Dispatch News, "Police say they were tipped off before I-91 heroin bust" Bryan Marovich, Oct. 07, 2014