On Oct. 4, two people were taken into custody after troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol found crack cocaine on one of the individuals after conducting a traffic stop. The two individuals were identified as a 24-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman.
The traffic stop occurred at 6:15 p.m. after a vehicle with an Illinois license plate was allegedly observed following another vehicle too closely while traveling south on U.S. 23. The troopers reported that they observed suspicious behavior during the course of the traffic stop. They also reported that they smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, which resulted in a search.
While they were patting down the woman, the troopers alleged that they discovered approximately 126 grams of crack cocaine on her person. The contraband was estimated to have a street value of around $13,000. Both individuals were taken into police custody and were charged with drug trafficking and possession of crack cocaine.
In Ohio, both drug trafficking and possession of crack cocaine charges are first-degree felonies. As a result, if someone is convicted on both felonies, they could potentially face a maximum of 20 years in prison, expensive fines and other penalties. However, being caught in possession of a drug does not necessarily mean that that person will be convicted.
An accused person’s defense attorney may uncover inconsistencies with the police report or find evidence that the authorities illegally conducted a traffic stop. They may also find evidence that the accused person’s vehicle was searched without their consent. If this happens, the attorney may have the ability to have evidence suppressed or have the charges completely dismissed.
Source: portsmouth-dailytimes.com, “$13,000 in crack confiscated in arrests“, Frank Lewis, October 07, 2014