California has some of the harshest sentencing guidelines for drug offenses in the United States. Having illegal drugs on your person or in your house or car is defined as possession and you can go to jail for it. Crimes involving illegal drugs or controlled substances in Los Angeles can be any of the following:
• Possession for Personal Use
• Possession of Drugs for
• Trafficking (transporting, buying, selling)
• Distributing
• Cultivating or Manufacturing
• Conspiracy to do any of the above
There are many smaller drug offenses, such as carrying small amounts of marijuana, but larger offenses will be considered felonies and carry heaving jail time. For example, during a routine traffic stop in Ohio, police seized nearly $3 million worth of marijuana.
While talking to the driver, the deputy said he could smell marijuana. A K-9 dog assigned to him also detected the drug. When deputies searched the van, they found 181 packages of marijuana weighing a total of 1,500 pounds. The sheriff's office estimated the drugs' worth at about $3 million. The man operating the vehicle is charged with trafficking in drugs. His bond was set at $100,000.
DRUG TRAFFICKING
Quick Tip: The police must read your Miranda rights to you if they are making an arrest. Pay close attention to these rights, as they will tell you what you are entitled to during the arrest and booking process.
