Second bust at the same residence in one month
As part of a narcotics investigation, Pemberton Township Police and the New Jersey State Police TEAMS Unit executed a residential search warrant at a Pemberton Township address in the early morning hours of May 2, 2022. As a result of the execution of the warrant, 17 arrests were made and quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, consistent with distribution, were seized. Additional charges included Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (heroin and methamphetamine).
This is the second time in a month that this address has been the target of a narcotics investigation by the Pemberton Township Police Department. A search warrant was executed on April 1, 2022, where nine people were arrested with charges including the Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
Penalties for NJ drug offenses
New Jersey has stiff penalties for drug offenses, especially for drugs such as those discovered in the drug bust mentioned above. Drug possession charges apply if drugs are discovered on a person, of course. But a person can also be charged if drugs are found in their home, in their vehicle, or in some location for which the suspect is responsible.
Drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine carry harsher penalties than offenses related to marijuana. Possession of these drugs can carry penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of up to $35,000. Depending on the quantity of drugs on a person, charges can include drug possession with intent to distribute. For lower quantities, offenses could involve up to $75,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison, while larger offenses can carry fines of up to $300,000 and up to 20 years in prison.
In addition to these penalties, which can be quite severe, other repercussions can have a long-lasting effect on a person’s life, including their ability to find a job, advance in a career, or pursue higher education. It could impact one’s family dynamic and drastically affect one’s mental health.
Why you need a NJ drug Lawyer
With all that is at stake in a drug case, it’s important to have a qualified defense attorney who can fight for you. An experienced NJ drug attorney can help you avoid harsher penalties through such programs as pre-trial intervention or drug court for first-time offenders and conditional discharge which could lead to the case being removed from the suspect’s record.
Sometimes, an experienced attorney can even help you get your case dismissed altogether. The attorney will review your case to ensure that your rights were protected throughout the process. They will evaluate the evidence against you to ensure that it was all properly obtained. A judge can suppress or completely throw out information that was not properly obtained.
Because a qualified NJ drug attorney will be familiar with the court system and with many of the law enforcement officers and prosecutors, he or she may be able to get a reduced sentence for you or get you into an alternative sentencing program like PTI. In many instances, he/she can get your case remanded to NJ municipal court.
If your case goes to trial, a qualified NJ drug attorney will provide an aggressive defense, fighting on your behalf to get the most lenient sentence possible.
