Florida Criminal Attorney Blog
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office claims it has been on the offense against drug trafficking for the past two months through a covert operation they call “Operation Coin Toss.”
“Coin Toss” resulted in four search warrants and 24 arrests. Fifteen of those people were previously convicted felons, according to reports.
The Sheriff said two of the homes searched, one on Fern Place in Homosassa and another on Arter Street in Crystal River, were in deplorable conditions and they’re working with code enforcement to get them torn down.
The Sheriff said it’s the largest operation of its kind since he took over in 2017, and they’re just getting started.
The Sheriff also added that one of the people arrested through this operation has already agreed to serve eight years behind bars, according to reports.
When facing drug charges in Citrus County, and elsewhere in Florida, you need a criminal defense lawyer you can rely on to handle your case with expert consideration. Our Citrus County Drug Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton know the anxiety that comes with being charged with a drug crime and how hard this can all be on you and your family. Our experienced attorneys stand ready to tackle the drug charges against you, whatever they may be, and will work with you every step of the way to get the best possible outcome for your case.
Our experienced drug possession and drug trafficking lawyers at Whittel & Melton, handle most types of drug cases. As former prosecutors, we have unique insight into the case against you and an intimate understanding of how law enforcement investigates these cases. With that said, we also know what mistakes police commonly make, and we can apply that insight into helping with your case.
We also have an in depth knowledge of the problem prosecutors face with proving their case and what information is generally needed to move forward with a drug crimes case. We will conduct our own thorough investigation into your criminal matter to look for any potential flaws and weaknesses in the charges against you, such as:
- Was any evidence obtained illegally?
- Does the prosecution have sufficient evidence?
- Can the prosecution prove all elements of the drug crime?
From the start, we will begin mounting a strong defense on your behalf. We will not wait to see what moves the prosecution will make. We will make sure your side of the story is heard and that your interests are protected.
If you are facing a drug possession charge, the penalties you may be facing will vary depending on the type of drug and the amount of the drug in your possession. Possessing larger quantities of a drug can lead to charges of possession with intent to distribute. It is important to also note that drugs that have a high potential for abuse have harsher penalties should you be convicted.
The best thing to do is face drug crimes charges head on. We will make sure you know what you are up against and the severe consequences if you are convicted, which can include:
- Felony conviction on your criminal record
- Being excluded from certain types of employment in the future
- Being fired from your current job
- Hefty fines
- Jail time
If you are facing drug crimes charges involving drug trafficking, manufacturing, distribution, and cultivation, then you are in for a fight as prosecutors tend to pursue these cases quite aggressively. Law enforcement will be looking to shut down the illegal drug operation and make sure that anyone involved is punished.
While these charges intend to target drug crimes associated with an organized operation, sometimes people get charged with distribution simply because of the amount of drugs they had on them at the time of their arrest. Our Citrus County Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton handle a wide array of serious drug charges, including:
- Transportation and trafficking
- Possession and possession for sale
- Manufacturing, cultivation, and importation
- Marijuana grow houses
- Juvenile drug crimes
We know how criminal drug charges are brought and prosecuted. We will challenge all of the evidence against you and look at the following key factors to see if they can help with your defense:
- Illegal search and seizure: If the police searched your car, home or person when they found the alleged drugs in question, we can determine whether or not your constitutional rights were violated.
- Improper police conduct and procedures: We can challenge improper police conduct, such as the use of informants, undercover officers, and illegal procedures involved in your arrest.
Let us help you with your drug arrest in Citrus County, or elsewhere in Florida.