DEA Busts Cocaine Ring at University
The latest DEA investigation into the selling of drugs at San Diego University has lead to the arrest and possible indictment of dozens of college students. Each student will need a criminal defense attorney and the United States Attorney will most likely prosecute the cases. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigation into drugs sales (especially cocaine) was started when a student at San Diego University died from a cocaine overdose last year. This was the spark that started the investigation. As far as I have seen, 2 students died in the past year at this University from cocaine abuse. From a statistical view, this is a very small number of deaths when compared with alcohol related deaths. The number of DUIs on college campuses compared to drug related facilities is tremendous. The college’s students that were arrest for drug trafficking at San Diego University will have several options once they are indicted.
The DEA and the US Attorney’s Office will most likely try to get the lower level dealers to cooperate against the students who were making the most money on the drug ring. In exchange for shorter prison terms, the lower level drug dealers will have to testify against the leaders of the operation. The students will most likely be charged with several types of federal and possible state law violations. Money Laundering, RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations), drug trafficking, possession with the intent to distribute, simple possession, and the one federal count that is included in almost every federal indictment “CONSPIRACY.” Conspiracy is the catch all to a federal indictment. Our office has defended many clients in federal court, and it is extremely rare to be charged in federal court, without a conspiracy count being included. Almost any act, communication, or participation in a criminal act will provide the basis for a federal indictment of conspiracy.
In San Diego, any students that delivered drugs, collected money, sent messages (text, email, telephone calls), provided delivery information or in very general terms participate in the organization could be indicted in this case. There may be several students that will be released and not charge with cocaine related offenses. The best they can all hope for is the hiring of great criminal defense lawyers. We have represented clients in Federal court in Florida, South Carolina, Michigan and Georgia. I know from experience that federal drug trafficking indictments are extremely hard to beat.
