BAY COUNTY, FL (October 26, 2019) – Newsherald.com writes that two people were arrested last week after they were found with over a pound of methamphetamine. One of the suspects is identified as a 23-year-old woman, and the other is a 30-year-old man. The woman is now facing charges for possession of drug paraphernalia and for trafficking methamphetamine. The man is facing charges for trafficking methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Police arrived at a Bay County residence earlier this month after receiving a call regarding a civil dispute. While at the scene, the police found a trailer that had been reported stolen and towed the trailer from the property to the Sheriff’s Office.
A search of the stolen trailer revealed a safe, the gun and the drug paraphernalia. After obtaining a warrant to open and search the safe, the officers found the pound of meth. The police also found several receipts from a local shop and were able to get video footage of the suspects in that store, making the purchases listed on the receipts. The police believe the pair was residing in the stolen trailer.
The woman asked the officers if she could get her clothing from the trailer. The police removed the drugs and took the ammunition out of the firearm and placed cameras inside the trailer. The woman was caught on video, grabbing the gun and the hidden safe. Police arrested her and the male suspect at the scene.
Possession of Methamphetamine Laws in Florida
Methamphetamine, also known as Crystal Meth or just Meth, is a street drug that is extremely addictive. The drug is considered a Schedule II controlled substance in Florida. Possession of under 14 grams of the drug is considered a Third Degree Felony. If a person has more than fourteen grams of Methamphetamine, they will face charges for trafficking rather than simply for possession. If the substance is a diluted mixture, this will not impact the charges; thus, possession of fourteen grams of the drug that is only 60 percent pure methamphetamine will still be considered trafficking. While a person in possession of methamphetamine can face up to five years in prison, the charges can be reduced to probation at a judge’s discretion. However, once the crime is upgraded to trafficking, prison time is mandatory.
Across the United States, the opioid crisis has attracted a great deal of media attention. Each year tens of thousands of people are dying because of opioid overdoses. However, while opioid use has been increasing, meth has begun to make a comeback, but it has not received the same attention as opioids.
In Florida, meth-related arrests have been more than doubling every year. Despite the sharp rise in meth use, meth arrests, and meth overdose deaths, the increase has remained comparably under the radar.