Two major player in the cocaine industry in and around Albany have been arrested over the last few months as a result of law enforcement drug busts. The first major arrest, as reported by the Albany Herald, took place on March 11. A suspect that police stated was one of Albany’s most wanted alleged drug dealers was taken into custody. The suspect had originally been encountered by Albany-Dougherty County Drug Unit agents around 5:30 in the evening, at which point the suspect attempted to drive off and hit a tree. After the collision, the suspect took off on foot, and police caught up with the suspect shortly thereafter. According to the Albany-Dougherty County Drug Unit, this arrest qualifies as the third strike for the suspect. The suspect had reportedly been on probation up until around two years ago, and the most recent second strike had not resulted in a conviction. The suspect has reportedly been in the drug business for over a decade, and the most recent arrest resulted in the seizure of over $18,000 worth of drugs and over $2,000 worth of currency from searching the suspect’s car.
More recently, ABC News 10 reported that Troy police raided an apartment during the early morning hours of May 26. At approximately 6:00 in the morning, Troy police executed a search warrant at an apartment related to the suspect. The raid was a culmination of a two-month investigation between local and state law enforcement agencies, and recovered approximately nine ounces of cocaine, an additional small amount of marijuana, a loaded handgun, assorted ammunition, and around $11,000 in cash. According to the story, the apartment was also equipped with an advanced surveillance system. The suspect is facing numerous charges related to the apartment raid, including: Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree; Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Degree and 3rd Degree; and Criminal Sale of a Narcotic Drug 2nd Degree. Each of these charges qualify as felonies, which means that the suspect could be facing a very lengthy prison sentence if he is convicted. According to the story, the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office commended all agencies involved in the investigation, stating that, “Today, a mid-level drug dealer was put out of business…Anytime we can remove a gun from the street, it is a good day for the community.”
Help Facing Drug-related Charges
The two suspects above are facing severe consequences should they be convicted of the charges against them. In New York, all drug-related crimes carry stiff penalties and serious repercussions. You do not have to be a drug dealer or even have access to a weapon to face felony charges for drug-related crimes.
If you have been charged with a drug-related crime, it is important that you speak with a criminal defense attorney that has experience handling such charges. A criminal defense attorney can help explain the charges and their possible consequences, as well as help ensure that your rights have been and are protected throughout the legal process. Contact Nave Law Firm’s criminal defense team to schedule a consultation about your case and begin working with an attorney to establish a criminal defense most appropriate to your circumstances.
DISCLAIMER: The exclusive purpose of this article is educational and it is not intended as either legal advice or a general solution to any specific legal problem. Corporate offices for Nave Law Firm are located at 432 N. Franklin Street, Suite 80, Syracuse, NY 13204; Telephone No.: 1-866-792-7800. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney Advertising
