Louisiana has made national headlines recently thanks to a recently unsealed federal indictment that exposes the results of an extensive investigation into a drug trafficking operation that is allegedly operating out of Baton Rouge. Nearly 40 people have been charged with various drug crimes, ranging from possession to distribution to trafficking and everywhere in between. The charges are made even more dangerous by the amount of firearms seized during the arrest.
All totaled, police seized more than $150,000 in cash during the arrest, which is assumed to be proceeds from drug sales. An undisclosed amount of cocaine was seized, though police believe that about 18 kilograms were transported using a child. Three handguns, a shotgun and an AR-15 were also seized.
The implications of the accusations, which include conspiracy and allegations of murder and torture, could be very big for law enforcement officials trying to crack down on drug crimes in Louisiana and all across the country. However, with 39 arrests, the implications could also be frightening for Louisiana residents. Such a large-scale operation indicates that law enforcement officials are taking the pursuit of drug crimes very seriously, but with increased zeal comes the increased risk of wrongful accusations.
When dozens of people are accused of similar crimes based on similar evidence, it is not unreasonable to think that some may simply have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is especially true because it does not take much to be accused of a drug crime; simply having cocaine in your home or vehicle can see you’re charged with a drug crime, even if you did not know the drugs were there. If you are suspected or have been charged with a drug crime, it is imperative that you take legal action in your defense as quickly as possible. You must begin building a defense in order to prove your innocence, especially if the evidence is stacked against you.
Source: WAFB, “39 arrested in violent drug trafficking network in Baton Rouge, Ascension Parish,” Amber Stegall, July 2, 2015
Subscribe To This Blog's Feed