Drug Crimes

Published on: October 20, 2016

D.C. Woman Sentenced to 8 Years In Prison For Hiding Cocaine in Bra, Underwear

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 33-year-old woman was sentenced to eight years in federal prison Thursday after she and three other women hid cocaine in their bras and underwear upon returning to Port Canaveral from Jamaica earlier this year, according to the State Attorney’s Office.

The D.C. woman was sentenced to eight years and one month for conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. She pleaded guilty on July 20, 2016.

According to court documents, the woman, as well as three others, traveled to Jamaica in May 2016 on board a commercial cruise ship.

When the four women arrived in Jamaica, the D.C. woman allegedly coordinated a meeting with someone who provided the group with more than six kilograms of cocaine concealed in bras and underwear. The D.C. woman apparently paid the person for the cocaine, and the four women returned to the cruise ship with the cocaine concealed under their dresses in the bras and underwear they were provided, according to documents.

The women apparently hid the cocaine in the cabin they shared for the remainder of the cruise.

When the cruise ship returned to Port Canaveral, the D.C. woman and the three other women departed the ship and entered the customs area of the port with the cocaine concealed in their bras and underwear.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers identified the cocaine during screenings and searches of the women.

The other three women were sentenced as well. One was sentenced to two years in prison, one was sentenced to one year and 10 months and one was sentenced to two years and six months.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security investigators.

Being charged with drug importation in the state of Florida is a very tough thing to deal with, especially if you do not have qualified legal representation. By hiring a knowledgeable drug crimes defense lawyer, you take an important step in achieving the most successful outcome for your particular case. Our Florida Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you through this difficult time by providing you with legal advice and personal attention so that we can work towards a positive resolution to your case.

Drug importation can be charged when drugs and controlled substances are brought into Florida across state lines, both from out-of-country or from another state. Some commonly imported drugs and controlled substances in Florida are:

Marijuana
Cocaine
Crystal Meth
Prescription Drugs
Ecstasy
Heroin

Published on: October 19, 2016

Jacksonville Woman Charged With Smuggling Drugs

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Jacksonville woman is accused of trying to smuggle 1 kilogram of the drug MDMA, also known by its street name “Molly,” into the state, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

The 32-year-old woman was arrested Monday on a charge of smuggling methamphetamine into the state.

According to the arrest report, a package from China addressed to a CubeSmart storage facility on Western Way was chosen for examination Monday by border enforcement. Homeland Security special agents opened the package, and allegedly found 1 kilogram — a little over 2 pounds — of MDMA, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The Sheriff’s Office said it and Homeland Security special agents attempted to deliver the package to the CubeSmart, an air-conditioned self storage facility that also accepts delivery of packages for its lessees.

The package was left at 6 p.m. Monday in the unit to which it was addressed, according to police.

About 30 minutes later, police claim the woman showed up, looked around the area, walked into the unit and picked up the package.

She was then stopped by special agents and arrested, according to reports.

After her arrest, police allege the woman told them she met a man on a dating website and he asked her to start picking up packages for him at the CubeSmart. She said she was never paid for picking up the packages.

The woman is being held at the Duval County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

No matter the specific controlled substance and quantity involved, or whether you were arrested by local police or federal agents, any drug smuggling or trafficking accusation is extremely serious. You could face decades behind bars and other serious consequences, so your choice of a criminal defense attorney is critical to the outcome of your case.

Published on: September 16, 2016

‘Operation Dirty Dope’ Yields 15 Arrests in Boynton Beach

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Boynton Beach police arrested 15 people in their month-long undercover drug sting ‘Operation Dirty Dope’ aimed at catching suspected drug dealers across Boynton Beach.

With 247 overdoses since the start of the year, 19 of which turned fatal, Boynton Beach police launched this sting operation in an attempt to try to slow the pace of the drug trade. Police believe heroin was involved in more than two-thirds of the cases. Police also found heroin at 11 of the fatal overdoses, they said.

Of those arrested, 11 are accused of selling heroin and cocaine to undercover officers and confidential informants, according to police. The drug deals happened across Boynton Beach in Publix parking lots, a park, an apartment complex and other places, according to arrest reports.

Published on: August 23, 2016

5 Notre Dame Football Players Arrested

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Five Notre Dame football players were arrested Friday night after police stopped them for speeding and reported finding a handgun and marijuana in the car.

A senior safety, a redshirt freshman cornerback, a freshman wide receiver, a sophomore running back and a sophomore linebacker were each charged with possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor. Three of the five were also charged with possession of a handgun without a license, also a misdemeanor.

An Indiana State Police trooper stopped the five players in Fulton County for driving 73 mph in a 60 mph zone, according to an ISP news release. The officer reported smelling marijuana coming from the car, and a police dog indicated that there were drugs in the vehicle. Officers found a handgun and marijuana after searching the car, according to the report.

The Notre Dame vice president for public affairs and communications said in a statement that the university will determine if additional sanctions are needed.

If you have been charged with possession of marijuana, you need the legal advice of a criminal defense attorney. While you may be tempted to go with the free services of the public defender’s office, keep in mind that they will have dozens of other cases and will not have the time to devote to you and a successful outcome for your legal troubles. In fact, the public defender will most likely encourage you to accept a plea bargain, even though you may have a good chance of avoiding a conviction.

Published on: May 27, 2016

Pinellas Park Doctor Gets 3 Years For 3 Pill Mill Deaths

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 76-year-old Pinellas Park doctor has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the deaths of three patients who were prescribed pain medications at his clinic.

A federal judge in Tampa called the man a “drug pusher” at sentencing Monday and said he will have the “rest of his life to think about that.”

Reports indicate that the man was unaware he was breaking the law and asked the judge to show mercy on his 66-year-old wife who is scheduled for sentencing Tuesday. She managed her husband’s office.

The couple was convicted during a 17-day trial on multiple counts in a drug and financial conspiracy.

The man was held accountable for the three deaths.

In an attempt to crack down on the pill mill epidemic in Florida, police and prosecutors can be a tad overzealous when it comes to charging legitimate health care professionals with running pill mills. With that said, innocent doctors and other health care providers are often accused of committing crimes they did not commit.

Published on: May 3, 2016

St. Pete Police Arrest Man Accused of Running $1 Million Marijuana Operation

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Detectives arrested a St. Petersburg man who was allegedly running a drug operation involving more than $1 million worth of marijuana.

The 24-year-old is facing charges of possession of marijuana with intent to sell and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Detectives claim they have been watching the man for several years.They received a tip that he was storing large quantities of marijuana in his apartment, which led them to obtain a search warrant, according to reports.

On March 23, investigators went to his apartment and apparently found 23 pounds of high-grade hydroponic marijuana that was packaged and ready for distribution inside his kitchen cabinets. Detectives claim they also found three guns and $87,000 in suspected drug money.

For the next month, detectives continued to investigate the man, and they claim they were able to identify about 230 pounds of marijuana — including the 23 pounds found his house apartment — and $168,000 cash associated with his operation.

Police say 230 pounds of marijuana has a street value of $1,150,000.

The U.S. Postal Service assisted police with the investigation, according to reports.

Being caught with any amount of marijuana and charged with a crime of marijuana possession in Florida is a very common drug charge. However, this does not mean you should take these charges lightly. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, you could be facing hefty fines, a permanent criminal record, and a significant amount of time behind bars.

Published on: March 1, 2016

15 Arrested in Undercover Heroin Sting in Manatee County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Fifteen people have been arrested as part of a drug-trafficking investigation in Manatee County.

The multi-agency investigation started due to the high number of recent heroin overdoses and deaths in the area.

During the 18-month undercover investigation, authorities allegedly confiscated $262,500 worth of heroin, $111,000 worth of cocaine, 200 grams of fentanyl, 100 hydromorphone pills, 28 firearms and more than $327,000 in cash and assets.

Detectives believe the investigation resulted in a significant decrease in the number of heroin overdoses and deaths in Manatee County.

In 2015, the Bradenton Police Department and the Manatee Sheriff’s Office investigated 77 heroin-related deaths. So far, there have not been any this year.

When an individual has been accused of or charged with a criminal offense involving heroin, it is crucial that they consult with a Florida Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton right away. You have legal rights that must be protected. It is important to know that under the law, you are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The penalties in Florida for drug crimes are very serious, which is why we fight hard to protect those accused of drug crimes from lengthy prison terms and other penalties that can wreck their careers, reputation, and future.

Whether you have already been charged with a heroin or other drug crime, or are under investigation, it is imperative that you discuss your situation with us immediately. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can explore any and all options you have, and develop a strong defense strategy.

Published on: February 9, 2016

Brooksville Man Arrested for Selling Drugs Near Church

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A man was arrested in Brooksville early Wednesday morning for selling crack cocaine near a church.

Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies arrested the 54-year-old man at his home on Twigg Street.

Their search of the house allegedly revealed crack cocaine, marijuana packaged for distribution, drug paraphernalia, numerous guns and rounds of ammunition.

The man was charged with three counts of sale and possession of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a church, as well as the following:

Possession of a Structure for Manufacturing Controlled Substance
Trafficking in Crack Cocaine
Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Marijuana over 20 Grams with Intent to Distribute
Felon in Possession of a Firearm (2 counts)
Felon in Possession of Ammunition
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

The man’s house shares Twigg Street with three churches. It is also in the vicinity of a bus stop that services several schools, Brooksville Engineering, Science, and Technology Academy (BEST), and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office South Brooksville Community Center, according to reports.

Florida laws make it a greater crime to be convicted of drug sales within 1000 feet of a church. This can enhance a misdemeanor drug crime to a first-degree felony, which means the person convicted could face up to 30 years in state prison.

The thing about drug crimes within 1,000 feet of a church is that these cases almost always have holes, like is it really a church? Does the church hold regular religious services? Does it actually measure one thousand feet exactly?

There is always evidence that must be questioned in drug crimes cases. At Whittel & Melton, our Florida Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers will investigate every shred of evidence and look for flaws in the prosecution’s case. Our ultimate goal is to beat the charges against you so that you can move on with your life unscathed.

Published on: February 2, 2016

Federal Jury Finds Cruise Ship Employee Guilty Of Smuggling Cocaine Into The United States

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A federal jury recently found a 23-year-old cruise ship employee guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.

He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 11, 2016. He was indicted on August 21, 2015.

According to evidence presented at trial, the man was part of a drug distribution ring that imported cocaine into the United States from Roatan, Honduras using cruise ship employees at several ports in the United States. The man, along with five other crewmen from Norwegian Cruise Line, apparently received packages of cocaine from a source of supply in Honduras while the cruise ship was docked there. The packages ranged from 750 grams to a full kilogram of cocaine.

Reports indicate that once the ship had docked in Tampa, the crewmen gathered at a restaurant near the port to remove their secretly stashed cocaine packages. They then met with two local drug traffickers, who had ties to the Honduran source of supply, to provide them with the packages of cocaine. The two local traffickers were stopped by law enforcement after leaving the Channelside District. Agents claim they seized 10 packages of cocaine with a total weight of more than 7.5 kilograms. Agents also said they confiscated more than $50,000 from the crewmen.

The five other cruise ship employees previously pleaded guilty for their roles in this case. They will be sentenced in January 2016.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Shauna S. Hale and Gregory Nolan.

If you are facing transportation or federal drug trafficking charges, you need a strong criminal defense lawyer right away. State and federal drug charges for smuggling carry severe penalties, including years behind bars. If you are not a U.S. citizen, a conviction for drug smuggling could lead to deportation and might forever ban you from becoming a U.S. citizen.

Published on: December 18, 2015

Ongoing K2 Crackdown in Ocala Yields 3 Arrests

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Police said they arrested three suspected drug dealers on Thursday after a tip led them to a home where K2, an illegal synthetic marijuana, was being sold.

Police officials, including the multi-agency Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team, continue to crack down on the local sale and possession of K2, which has sent dozens of people to the hospital and caused problems to several neighborhoods since late last month.

One of the three taken into custody had been arrested on Dec. 3 on principal to sale of synthetic marijuana. The man, who had been released from the Marion County Jail on Dec. 9, now faces a charge of possession of synthetic cannabinoids with intent to sell.

When arrested Thursday, the man was sitting in a vehicle and that contained K2, and the drug was near him, according to drug agents.

Agents also arrested a 27-year-old woman on charges of possession of synthetic cannabinoids with intent to sell, possession of marijuana under 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The third person arrested, a 39-year-old man, was detained as he walked away from the home, according to reports. He faces charges of for sale of synthetic cannabinoids and possession of synthetic marijuana less than three grams.

Authorities allegedly recovered 56 bags of synthetic marijuana and regular marijuana. The synthetic marijuana will be sent to a laboratory for testing, officials said.

Since late November, Ocala Fire Rescue and Ocala Police Department officers have responded to K2-related incidents at several locations, primarily at the Salvation Army compound near downtown, in Tuscawilla Park and along Northeast Eighth Avenue, on calls about people “acting weird.” The behaviors have included people being violent, getting into fights and having seizures.

Officials said some of those affected were taken to hospitals and others were taken to mental health facilities under the Baker Act, which allows authorities to intervene if people are considered a danger to themselves or others.

Fire and police officials estimated more than 40 people have been affected in some way by the drug. No deaths have been reported. Police officials believe the synthetic marijuana has been tampered with or laced with a more harmful chemical that causes people to have an adverse reaction and requires medical attention.

In response to the spike in medical calls and the ongoing investigation, OPD has deployed extra officers to some areas.

So far during the crackdown, 10 people have been arrested on K2-related charges.

K2, which goes by numerous other names, is a substance that mimics the effects of marijuana. Manufacturers are able to do this by taking a mixture of herbs and spices and spraying them with a synthetic chemical that has a similar structure to THC, which is the active ingredient in marijuana. Florida and other states across the country have been cracking down on K2, and some states have even banned this drug. If you have been arrested for possession, sale, or distribution of K2, talk to a Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton today.

Some other common names for K2 include:

Spice
Black Mamba
Bliss
Bombay Blue
Genie
Zoha