On July 3, Florida authorities arrested a 61-year-old man after a large amount of drugs were allegedly found in his possession during a traffic stop. The incident took place in Escambia County.
According to media outlets, troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol Criminal Interdiction Unit pulled over a 2003 Buick LaSabre for committing a traffic violation near the intersection of Nashville Avenue and Michigan Avenue. During the stop, a K-9 officer reportedly signaled that the driver of the vehicle may have drugs on his person. Troopers searched him and allegedly found 56.5 grams of methamphetamine in a pocket of his cargo pants. They also searched his car and allegedly discovered 12.9 grams of crack cocaine and .25 grams of fentanyl.
Due to the size of the drug haul, FHP officials contacted the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for assistance. DEA agents searched the defendant’s home and allegedly uncovered 1.1 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.1 pounds of cocaine, a half pound of heroin, 160 grams of unspecified pharmaceuticals and 1 gram of fentanyl. They additionally found a loaded handgun that was reported stolen in Escambia County.
If convicted, individuals arrested on drug charges could face harsh consequences, including years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. However, drug defendants might be able to help their situation by contacting a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. After reviewing the details of the case, the attorney might find evidence that counters the prosecution’s claims, which could cause the charges to be dropped. If the charges stand, the attorney may recommend negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors. Under some circumstances, this strategy could reduce the charges and help the defendant obtain a lighter sentence.