12 Nov 2 arrested by Maryland police on heroin charges

On behalf of Jack B. Rubin, PA posted in Drug Charges on Monday, November 12, 2012.

Police make a concerted effort to investigate the presence of heroin on the streets of Maryland. This effort can at times lead Maryland officials to seek a search and seizure warrant based on their belief that certain individuals are suspected of possession or distribution of heroin. Two individuals face such charges after the car they were in was pulled over recently by police and searched.

Authorities allege that a lengthy investigation lead them to identify a 33-year-old Berlin man as being a suspected source of heroin in the Ocean City area. Last month, investigators say they were tracking him and a 24-year-old woman as they drove to Baltimore. The next day, apparently as the couple was returning to the shore, police stopped them, reportedly under the aegis of a warrant. Officials say their search led to the seizure of more than 100 small packages of heroin and some drug paraphernalia.

Investigators say they also executed a search warrant on the man’s residence and claim to have found further evidence indicating illegal drug use. Both the man and woman were arrested and charged with drug offenses. They remained in jail at last report pending release on bond.

Although search warrants are a significant tool for Maryland police to use to investigate drug possession and trafficking, those warrants require a showing of cause by police in order for them to be granted. Often that evidence is lacking or has been questionably obtained, raising doubts as to whether any subsequent search and seizure should have been allowed. At the same time, it’s not unusual for a person to in proximity to drugs without even knowing it.

The expectation of privacy and protection against illegal search and seizure is part of our constitutional rights. Authorities must always be held accountable to be sure those rights are not trampled.

Source: Maryland Coastal Dispatch, “Heroin Dealing Bust,” Nov. 9, 2012