Earlier this month South Dakota law enforcement officials arrested a man for possession of nearly 980 pounds of marijuana. The man has been charged with Felony Possession of Marijuana, Felony Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Sell, and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
The man was driving his vehicle when the police stopped him for excessive speed. The police officer’s drug sniffing dog conducted a search of the exterior of the vehicle and indicated the presence of drugs. Upon further investigation, the police discovered numerous bails of marijuana hidden in the vehicle. The man was arrested and had his bail bond set at $1,000,000.
If this person were to have been stopped in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he would have faced a Controlled Substance Crime in the First Degree. In Minnesota, a person in possession of 100 kilograms (roughly 220 pounds) or more of marijuana is guilty of a Controlled Substance Crime in the First Degree, a Felony.
The penalties for a Controlled Substance Crime in the First Degree, is imprisonment for up to 30 years and or a fine of up to $1,000,000. However, if the conviction is not your first controlled substance conviction, then the prison term maximum may be increased to up to 40 years and carries a minimum prison term of 4 years. In addition to the criminal penalties, the Commissioner of Public Safety can revoke the offender’s driver’s license upon being notified of the conviction, if the offense involved a motor vehicle and its driver.
What does this mean for you?
If you may or have been charged with possession of a controlled substance, it is important to contact an experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer for a free consultation. A controlled substance charge can be complex and have unforeseen consequences. You need an experienced attorney guiding through the court process and fighting to protect your rights.