NYPD Sting Operation Results In Numerous Drug Arrests
Drug charges come with severe consequences such as hefty fines and potential jail time. A drug related conviction could also cause serious personal and professional damage.
According to Fox NY, the NYPD recently announced the arrest of over 40 drug dealers who are accused of delivering cocaine to investment bankers, college students and residents of public housing.
Officers Claim Individuals Are Gang Members
Two indictments claim that the drug dealers are members of two street gangs running drug trafficking rings. One indictment charges 33 individuals who are believed to be part of a gang operating on the Lower East Side. Another indictment charges eight individuals based in the East Village.
Four of the individuals were charged as major traffickers under the “drug kingpin” statute, which focuses on capturing top-level drug dealers. Other charges included selling drugs and conspiracy.
Some of the individuals allegedly operated out of a public housing unit. The individuals are accused of selling over $1.1 million worth of cocaine within the past couple of years. The NYPD Commissioner speculates that the individuals may have charged more for the drugs because of the personalized delivery service.
Although NYPD officers allege that the individuals are using a car service to deliver cocaine to residents, they refuse to comment further on the identities of the alleged customers or provide any specific details. They only state that the case is ongoing and that additional arrests are expected.
Prosecutors Aggressively Pursue Drug Charges
A conviction on any drug charges can cause permanent damage to the lives of these individuals. According to the New York Penal Code, possessing 500 mg or more of cocaine is a class D felony, which comes with a prison sentence between one to three years and a fine of up to $15,000.
Possession of a drug such as marijuana also comes with strict penalties. An individual possessing any amount of marijuana in a public place faces three months in jail and a $500 fine. As amounts of the drug increase, so do penalties.
In order to prove possession of either a controlled substance or marijuana, New York law requires prosecutors to prove the following beyond a reasonable doubt:
- The substance is a controlled substance
- The individual knowingly possessed the controlled substance
- Possessing the controlled substance is illegal
An individual facing drug charges should consult a quality criminal defense attorney. An attorney can aggressively protect important rights and help mitigate any potential damage.