A month long investigation by the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force leads to two individual being arrested and charged with the possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute in the first degree. Based on the information reported by the Trentonian, it appears that the detectives must have received a tip that a specific vehicle has been routinely driving into the City of Trenton to drop off significant quantities of cocaine. Based the information that they had obtained, the detectives set up surveillance in an effort to try and locate the vehicle. When they finally located the vehicle it was exiting the New Jersey Turnpike and heading towards Trenton so they decided to conduct a motor vehicle stop. It is unclear what if any motor vehicle infractions the driver committed but once the motor vehicle stop was conducted, a K9 unit was called in. Based on the K9 units detection, a search of the vehicle was conducted and they uncovered 201 grams of powder cocaine in the trunk. The cocaine has an estimated street value of more than $20,000.
Cocaine Bust in Mercer County, New Jersey
The driver and the front seat passenger were arrested and formally charged with the possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. Since the quantity of the cocaine was in excess of 5 ounces, the Defendants would be charged with a first degree felony offense. If convicted, the Defendants will be facing up to two decades behind bars and a fine up to $200,000. Based on the degree of the charges, the Mercer County prosecutor’s office may be seeking to detain the Defendant in the Mercer County Jail, without bail, pending trial. However, to do so, the prosecution must file for a Detention Hearing. For more information on detention hearings in New Jersey, please contact us at 609.789.0779.
How Come I was Charges with Manufacturing Charges?
One of the most common initial questions that we hear from potential clients when the allegations revolve around a possession with intent to distribute or distribution offense is how come I am charged with manufacturing? Well, the answer is normally simple, you are not. NJSA 2C:35-5 is the governing statute in New Jersey for all drug manufacturing, distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute offenses and more often than not, manufacturing is just the first term listed after the NJSA 2C:35-5 phrase. With that being said, the penalties do not differ between a distribution offense and a manufacturing offense. If you or a loved one has been charged with this offense, we strongly recommend that you speak to an attorney as soon as possible about your options.
Mercer County NJ Cocaine Distribution Lawyer
Proetta & Oliver defends those of accused of crimes like aggravated assault, cocaine possession, heroin distribution, marijuana possession, unlawful possession of a weapon or marijuana distribution charges in courts throughout Mercer County. If you are facing criminal charges and would like to speak to one of our Mercer County criminal defense attorneys about your options then please contact us at 609-789-0779. We offer free initial consultations, were we will go over the specifics of your case and we will give you our honest feedback on how we think we can be of assistance. If you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to ask.
For more information on this incident, please checkout the Trentonian article by clicking the link: Shootings, drugs and plea deals: November 2, 2017 Trentonian Police Blotter.
