Officials have taken a 33-year-old man into custody on drug charges in Okeechobee. The man is suspected of possessing both marijuana and amphetamine in his home. Officials also reported finding a large quantity of currency at the time a search warrant was served on July 18. The felony drug charges include possession of marijuana in excess of 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, trafficking in amphetamine and intent to sell marijuana within close range of a church. Bond has been set at $80,000.
Reports indicate that field tests were conducted on the suspected drugs. Approximately 180 grams of marijuana were reportedly seized with the majority found in a safe on the premises. Officials also found nearly 25 grams of amphetamine. The home is located approximately 660 feet from a neighborhood church. Officials from the Special Response Team in the area reportedly found two children and a woman with the man in a bedroom. Two more children were present in the home at the time, located in a separate area.
Prior to this incident, the man who was detained was charged and convicted for trafficking of cocaine, resulting in a five-year sentence. The man served approximately four years of that sentence, being released in December 2010. Reports do not indicate what led to the warrant being obtained in this case, and this may be a concern for anyone considering retaining a lawyer to assist in their defense.
A lawyer may pay particular attention to the protocol used in the serving of the warrant to ensure that the client’s rights have not been violated in the process. A prior conviction is not a reason to assume guilt, and a lawyer may be necessary to ensure that due process is observed.
Source: Florida Newszap, “Convicted drug dealer reportedly caught again in Okeechobee“, Eric Koop, July 22, 2014
