KEY WEST, FL – (February 22, 2020) – According to an online news report on website MiamiHerald.com, on February 22, 2020, law enforcement arrested two men who were possessing 13 grams of Heroin. The two men claimed that they “help out” heroin addicts who need Heroin according to a statement made by police. The two men resided in Key West and were arrested on possession of drug paraphernalia to transport drugs and drug trafficking.
Key West police stated that they found the Heroin within an insulated container used for beverages, and the container was taped to the truck's engine hose. Inside the container, police officers found two syringes, a metal spoon and a “substantial amount” of Heroin. The total amount of Heroin was about half an ounce or 13.31 grams, according to Alyson Crean, a police spokesperson. In the State of Florida, transporting 4 grams or more Heroin can bring a felony charge of drug trafficking.
According to Key West police, officers stopped the two men because of speeding. Key West police, working with an agent from Homeland Security Investigations, searched the pickup truck, and used a drug-sniffing K9 dog. Key West police stated that an opioid overdose reversal agent, Narcan, the drug paraphernalia, and heroine. One of the suspects stated to the police that he wasn’t aware of the heroine because he had recently purchased the truck. The officers examined the man´s arms and stated the suspect´s arms appeared to have injection markings from intravenous heroin use.
The suspect admitted to police that he travels to Fort Lauderdale two times a week in order to purchase Heroin according to Key West´s police arrest records. Later the suspect stated that the heroin police found belonged to another individual, and this individual “helps out” people who are in need of Heroin. Police stated that the suspect and a second suspect would travel together and purchase Heroin on the mainland. The second suspect remained silent unless he could arrange an undercover “drug buy” to avoid criminal charges.
Florida Heroin Possess Charges, Laws and Penalties
According to 893.135 Trafficking; mandatory sentences; suspension or reduction of sentences; conspiracy to engage in trafficking, possession of Heroin is a felony in the state of Florida. A charge of possessing ten grams or less of Heroin is a third-degree felony, according to Florida state statute 893.13(6)(a). In the state of Florida, heroin residue inside a pipe or needle can bring a charge of heroin possession. The fines and penalties, if found guilty of possessing less than ten grams of Heroin, are stiff. If convicted, you could receive up to five years in prison, five years of supervised probation, a two-year driver´s license suspension, a maximum fine of $5,000, mandatory drug treatment, and you could have your vehicle or other property forfeited.
Double Jeopardy
The phrase “double jeopardy” is commonly used when discussing crimes such as murder. “Double Jeopardy” means that a person cannot be charged, tried, or punished for the same charge. However, as with many other drugs, a heroin possession charge could also bring a drug trafficking charge for the same Heroin in the state of Heroin.