Police in Florida arrested several people on drug charges as a result of an investigation that has been ongoing for several months. Law enforcement officials say the investigation will continue, and they expect more arrests to be made in the near future. The 20 convicted felons arrested as a result of “Operation No Trap Zone” now face 47 felony charges as of March 3. The investigation and arrests were carried out by the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies reportedly seized several drugs, including hydrocodone, Suboxone, Xanax, crack cocaine and marijuana, and other items during the sting operation. Besides drugs, police confiscated a Ruger .357 revolver and two vehicles. Police say the firearm was stolen.
A 46-year-old Fernandina Beach man was charged with one count of sale of a controlled substance for hydrocodone and one count of sale of cocaine. A 24-year-old man from the same town was charged with two counts of sale of cocaine. A 23-year-old man was charged with one count of possession of cocaine and three counts sale of cocaine. Overall, charges included various counts of the possession and sale of the previously mentioned drugs, and most the charges involved cocaine. There were three women among those arrested.
People accused of committing a drug offense typically benefit from consulting a criminal defense lawyer. Legal counsel may be prepared to investigate the charges and begin constructing a viable defense for the accused. Legal strategies often include exposing misconduct committed by agents of the state, right violations against the defendant or a preponderance of evidence strong enough to counter the prosecution’s theory.
Source: News4jax.com, “20 arrested in Nassau Co. drug roundup,” Harrison Barrus, March 3, 2015
