South Carolina Criminal Lawyer Blog

DEA officers in Seattle, Washington recently arrested several members of a Mexican Drug ring. The arrests were related to Cocaine trafficking. The DEA agents seized over 36 pounds of cocaine and have alleged that the Drug ring was distributing over 30 kilograms of cocaine per month. The DEA code named the investigation "Operation Pink Tiger" based on the fact that the cocaine was being shipped in pink cellophane. The DEA is infamous for giving code names to drug investigations. There were also ties to a Mexican restaurant where the alleged drug leader was employed. The Mexican drug cartels are also very active in South Carolina. As previously mentioned South Carolina has become a distribution state for cocaine because of its central location between Miami and New York. Seattle is a much larger city than Charleston, Columbia or Myrtle Beach. However, the Mexican drug cartels are now functioning in almost every state and city.
The amount of cocaine involved the DEA investigation will activate a federal minimum mandatory prison term of 10 years. The federal sentencing guidelines will be used to give a range of months that the defendants will face. The guideline range will be based on the amount of cocaine, any prior convictions, relevant conduct, and the nature of the facts alleged in the indictment. The Federal Sentence guidelines apply to every federal indictment. The lawyers defending this case will have to ensure that a complete investigation is completed by the DEA. Much of the case will depend on statements made by codefendants and possible informants.

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Posted In: Drug Trafficking

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Cities in South Carolina, such as Columbia, Hilton Head, Greenville, Spartanburg, Myrtle Beach and Charleston, were seen as minor drug related areas in the South. Florida was the cocaine capital of the Southeast for many decades. In the past several years the amount of cocaine entering South Carolina has increased dramatically. The influx of Mexican drug organizations has increased the flow of drugs. The DEA has been investigating the use of Interstate I-20, I-26, I-95 and I-85 to move drugs across South Carolina. South Carolina is centrally located in between Miami and New York, which allows for the ideal distribution for the East Coast drug trade. Interstate 95 is a one way shot between Miami and New York and has no major cities in South Carolina. Florence is the largest city in South Carolina with direct access to Interstate 95. The Port of Charleston has also been utilized for importing cocaine, marijuana and other drugs into South Carolina.
According to the DEA South Carolina was once considered just a consumer state and not a source state. In the past few years South Carolina has become a transshipment corridor for cocaine, heroin, cannabis and other illegal drugs. Our office has defended many clients for importation of cocaine in Miami, Florence, Charleston, Palm Beach and many other cities throughout the South. In 2007 the DEA seized 477 kilograms of cocaine in South Carolina. This number does not include the seizures by SLED or local law enforcement agencies. The DEA has a smaller presence in South Carolina compared to Texas, Florida or New York. We have a criminal defense office in Miami, Florida. This was the basis for most of our experience in defending drug trafficking cases throughout the Southeast. With the increase in drug charges in South Carolina, we opened up an office in South Carolina to defend individuals indicted for drug trafficking, money laundering and other drug related offenses.
There has also been an increase in meth labs in South Carolina. Many rural areas have been producing crystal meth. The DEA seized 24 meth labs in 2007. The effects of meth in the poor regions of South Carolina have caused an increase in other areas of crime. Crystal Meth is very inexpensive compared to cocaine. Areas like Charleston and Myrtle Beach do not have the high level of crystal meth. Cocaine and marijuana are more prevalent in the metropolitan areas. We have defended clients for meth labs and marijuana grow houses in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

Posted by Russell Mace | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Drug Trafficking

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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.

Posted by Russell Mace | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Drug Trafficking

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