Earlier this month, 17 people were arrested by federal agents in Kentucky. The individuals have been charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of methamphetamine; there were also several charges relating to firearm possession, which could lead to enhanced sentences on the drug charges if any of the individuals are convicted.
Federal and local authorities had been investigating the accused individuals for months before making the arrests. The United States attorney says that the individuals are believed to have been transporting methamphetamine from Kentucky to Indiana. Some of the people accused of the drug charges include members of a motorcycle club in Indiana.
In connection with the arrest, federal agents searched the motorcycle club’s clubhouse, as well as houses in Kentucky and Indiana. The Drug Enforcement Administration supposedly seized an unspecified amount in cash, in addition to 30 pounds of methamphetamine and 22 firearms. If convicted, most of those accused of the drug charges could be sentenced for up to 10 years in federal prison.
There are often defenses to drug charges that people are unlikely to think of in the heat of the moment. For instance, a criminal defense attorney might be able to determine whether a search conducted by the police was valid; if not, anything seized by the police cannot be used as evidence. There are also options for pleading to reduced sentences. If someone accused of a drug crime is suffering from an addiction, sometimes a prosecutor may be willing to agree to a more lenient sentence in exchange for attending a drug treatment program. When someone is accused of drug charges, it is recommended that the individual refrains from talking to the police and that the individual speaks with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
