Traffic stop leads to drug trafficking charges

A routine traffic stop in Alabama on Aug. 26 led to a man facing serious felony drug charges. The incident happened around 9 p.m. on U.S. 431 in Henry County. Deputies say that the man’s southbound Buick Regal was initially stopped for a minor traffic offense. Reports indicate that officers searched the man’s vehicle, and they reportedly discovered a bag of marijuana, four bags believed to contain crack cocaine and approximately 20,000 pills believed to be Xanax.

The estimated street value of the pills is purportedly $140,000. The man was charged with felony unlawful drug possession for the pills. Deputies also charged him for drug trafficking due to the crack cocaine in the car. He also faces additional charges for marijuana possession. The man was detained at the Henry County Jail, and his bail was set at $295,000.

Individuals facing accusations of drug crimes may find consulting with a lawyer to be beneficial. A criminal defense lawyer could evaluate a defendant’s options after reviewing the facts of a case. The lawyer might focus on potential points of contention such as the officers’ cause for making the traffic stop or by disputing whether a search was justified. Evidence critical to the prosecution’s case may be inadmissible in court if it was not collected lawfully.

Police misconduct, breaches in protocol and violations of a defendant’s rights may also be effective defense strategies to employ in a case. In some instances, the lawyer might be able to have the charges dismissed or reduced if the prosecution’s case is challenged significantly.

Source: DothanEagle.com, “Henry County deputies make drug trafficking arrest“, Matt Elofson, August 28, 2014