Category Archives: Drug Crimes
The Three Ps of Drug Possession
Some people think the War on Drugs ended in the 1980s. At least as far as drug possession is concerned, that’s patently untrue. These arrests have increased 400 percent since the 1980s. A single pill could mean felony charges. And, felony arrests and convictions look very good on police officer and prosecutorial resumes. Despite… Read More »
Challenging the Two Main Components of a Drug Possession Case
Simple possession cases have long been a staple in the seemingly endless War on Drugs. In fact, these prosecutions account for over 80 percent of all drug cases in St. Lucie County. Except in marijuana cases, drug possession is typically a felony. The exact severity of the offense usually depends on the type and… Read More »
Five Search Warrant Exceptions in Florida Drug Crimes
Privacy rights are deeply embedded in the Constitution. For example, the Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. Before they can enter private property, such as a dwelling or vehicle, officers must generally have search warrants based on probable cause. Over the years, the Supreme Court has carved out some search warrant exceptions in… Read More »
Georgia Southern QB Exonerated in Drug Possession Case
Redshirt junior Shai Werts may be in the Eagles backfield this season after all, since the “cocaine” officers claimed he had on his car was bird poop. In July 2019, peace officers pulled Werts over for speeding. As they approached the car, they saw white, powdery residue on the car’s hood. Despite his repeated… Read More »
Sorting Out Florida’s Confusing Marijuana Laws
Florida’s middle-of-the-road stance regarding marijuana legalization is already somewhat bewildering, and an ongoing court fight has increased that confusion. Earlier this year, a Tallahassee judge threw out the state’s medical marijuana law. The judge claimed that the Legislature had failed to implement a 2016 amendment which significantly broadened the law. It looked like this… Read More »
DMT Appears On Port St. Lucie Streets
A new substance — dimethyltryptamine — is making the rounds in the shadowy world of drug trafficking. Its appearance raises two interesting questions which are common in many drug cases. DMT, which has been used for centuries in religious ceremonies, is basically a mild form of LSD. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, “The… Read More »
Major Drug Arrest In Port St. Lucie
In a complex case that involves several legal issues, police arrested two men on drug-related criminal charges. After a lengthy investigation, officers executed a search warrant on a Southwest Starflower Avenue residence. Authorities entered one bedroom and seized two handguns, two rifles, ammunition, marijuana, crack cocaine, and a substantial amount of cash. In another… Read More »
St. Lucie Sheriff’s Deputies Bust Marijuana Distribution Ring
Three people are in custody after deputies served a drug search warrant on a Northwest Belwood Circle residence. In the house, investigators seized roughly 316 grams of marijuana, which is enough to make about 1,200 joints. At the time, the marijuana was in clear plastic baggies. Deputies also seized pipes which contained trace amounts… Read More »
Guilty Plea In Martin County Heroin Case
A 60-year-old tire shop owner pleaded no contest to multiple drug charges and is now awaiting sentencing. Prosecutors allege that the man used his East Stuart shop to distribute heroin. To avoid trial, the state’s lawyers agreed to reduce the most serious charge from trafficking in heroin over 28 grams, which carries a mandatory… Read More »
Major Palm Beach County Drug Bust
Port St. Lucie Police officers seized almost $250,000 in cash, along with several items allegedly used in a drug trafficking operation out of a Southwest Hawthorne Circle home. Acting on information received from the narcotics unit of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, police searched the home and found large quantities of marijuana and… Read More »
