On behalf of The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A.
On June 11, police detained the owner of a Hollywood convenience store that was allegedly a front for criminal activity. The owner, a 36-year-old man, faces several charges, including petty larceny, drug possession, and EBT card fraud, authorities reported.
Police claim that the store served as a marketplace for illicit drugs, especially synthetic marijuana. According to police, the store was also a place to purchase crack cocaine, exchange drugs for guns, and receive cash for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cards.
Reportedly, the convenience-store raid was the culmination of a six-month investigation by police. The raid yielded more than 350 bags of synthetic marijuana, authorities said.
If convicted, people charged with drug-related offenses in Florida may encounter serious and life-altering consequences. For this reason, it is important for people accused of drug crimes to retain the counsel and resources of a criminal defense attorney and mount an aggressive defense against the charges.
In a case like this one, the attorney may examine the way in which the investigation and raid were carried out. When police do not strictly adhere to the proper protocol or in some way violate the accused individual’s constitutional rights, there may be grounds for the charges to be reduced or outright dismissed.
Moreover, the attorney may scrutinize the police reports for inaccuracies and contradictions and the evidence for contamination. For, problems with police work or incriminating evidence may also be grounds for the charges to be reduced or even dismissed.
Even if the prosecution’s case appears unassailable, the defense attorney may negotiate a plea agreement with prosecutors. In this way, the accused individual may receive mitigated penalties in exchange for entering a guilty plea.
When you need a criminal defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you can contact us by calling 954-533-2756 for a free consultation.
NBC Miami, “Kwik Stop Store was Front for Drug Business: Police“, June 13, 2014
