For any readers that doubt the aggressive tactics used by New Jersey authorities in enforcing drug crimes, a recent story about a local drug bust provides context.
Notably, the story marks the conclusion of a two-month investigation spearheaded by the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, in conjunction with other authorities. The investigation included surveillance of the apartment of a suspected drug distributor, a 30-year-old New Jersey man.
Those surveillance efforts resulted in the traffic stop of a 46-year-old woman driving a 2015 Subaru Forrester. Authorities claim they found three baggies of powder cocaine in the woman’s possession. She was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
The results of the traffic stop may also have facilitated task force officers in obtaining a search warrant for the man’s apartment. Their search uncovered a small quantity of marijuana and 100 grams of powder cocaine with a street value around $10,000. The search also uncovered drug paraphernalia, including a digital scale, packaging materials, over $2,000 in loose cash and a bulletproof vest. Authorities have charged the man with several different drug possession and distribution crimes, including possession of a controlled dangerous substance, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession with intent to distribute.
As a criminal law firm that focuses on drug crimes, we have experience representing defendants who have been accused of a variety of drug possession and/or distribution charges. Under state law, cocaine is considered a controlled dangerous substance and it is illegal to knowingly possess it, let alone intend to distribute it. Distribution charges vary based upon the amount of cocaine involved. In this case, authorities found around 3.5 ounces of cocaine in the man’s apartment. A distribution charge for that amount by itself is a second degree crime with penalties of up to 10 years in prison. When combined with other charges, the potential consequences can be very serious
Source: Fox 29, “Two charged in New Jersey $10,000 drug bust,” Oct. 8, 2015
