Articles Posted in Drug Crime

Police in Ventura County have arrested a Granada Hills man for the California drug offense of cultivating marijuana after finding more than 1,000 plants on his property in Frazier Park. According to this news report in the Ventura County Star, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department officials went to the man’s property after being told of power outages in the area because of a malfunctioning electrical transformer and noticing a strong smell of marijuana.

Detectives conducted a search of the property and found a marijuana cultivation operation that included the use of hydroponics, officials said. The marijuana plants were found inside the house, garage and an outside building. The rooms were reportedly equipped with grow lights as well. No one was living in the property, but the home’s owner was arrested.

California drug offenses refer to the cultivation, possession, sale, use, or furnishing of any drug or controlled substance or drug paraphernalia, which is prohibited by law. Most drug offenses in the state of California are now felonies. The penalties for drug crimes in Ventura County can be very severe. The type or severity of charges usually depends on the quantity, intent to sell or distribute, and other factors such as weapons possession or use, evidence of sales activity, having large amounts of cash, and so on. The seriousness and punishment for drug crimes usually depends on the quantity of drugs confiscated.
Continue reading

The founder of a Los Angeles-based anti-drug group is now facing CA drug charges of selling methamphetamine and Ecstasy to an undercover Redondo Beach police detective, according to a recent news report. The co-founder and CEO of the Wall Foundation was reportedly arrested at a Starbucks on Sepulveda Boulevard in El Segundo. Undercover officials made a deal with him to sell them the drugs, police said. The man was arrested when he handed the envelope to the undercover officer in exchange for $480. Officers later discovered that he actually tried to cheat them by giving them rock salt instead of meth and was trying to pass off antihistamine pills as Ecstasy.

Being convicted of drug crimes in Los Angeles, especially sale or transportation of drugs, can be rather severe. However, an accusation of drug possession can be based on an illegal search and seizure by law enforcement officials. If proper police procedures are not followed or if someone’s constitutional rights were violated either during search and seizure or during undercover operations, their drug sales case could be dismissed. Please don’t assume that you will be found guilty if you have been arrested on suspicion of drug crimes.
Continue reading

Redmond O’Neal, son of actors Ryan O’Neal and Farah Fawcett, has been charged with a felony count of bringing drugs to a Los Angeles area jail, KTLA News reports in a story. O’Neal was reportedly taken into custody after police say they found him to be in possession of heroin at a security checkpoint in the parking lot of the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic. The 24-year-old O’Neal was apparently at the jail to visit a friend who was incarcerated. When stopped by officials, O’Neal admitted to possessing drugs and is now facing California drug crime charges.

In January, O’Neal pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine. At the time, he was already serving three years probation after pleading guilty to possession of heroin and methamphetamine and driving under the influence.

Both heroin and methamphetamine are illegal or controlled substances. Possessing these substances in any amount is a crime. The penalties of a conviction for sales or drug possession in California are severe. The consequences can be dire if you violate your terms of probation stemming from prior drug crime convictions. However, very often, we find that an accusation of drug possession is based on illegal search and seizure by the police. If your arresting officer did not follow proper police procedures or if your Constitutional rights were violated, the evidence against you could be thrown out and your case can be dismissed.

Former Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Todd Marinovich is back in jail after authorities say the 39-year-old was arrested after missing a drug rehabilitation progress review in a Newport Beach court. According to this news report, Marinovich’s alleged probation stems from his guilty plea on California drug charges two years ago. Marinovich pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, syringe and resisting arrest. The judge at the time placed Marinovich on five years of probation and ordered him to spend one year at a drug rehabilitation center. Marinovich reportedly has nine prior cases in Orange County courts.

A Drug Court in California is a special court that is given the responsibility of select felony and misdemeanor cases involving non-violent drug-using offenders. The program consists of frequent random drug testing, probation, drug treatment counseling and use of sanctions and incentives. The Drug Court Judge is actively involved in supervising offenders who participate in this program. After an individual successfully completes the criminal drug court program, the drug charge against him or her is dismissed. However, when individuals in this program relapse, go back to using drugs, fail to attend or return to their old ways, the court imposes sanctions. In some cases, the defendants may not get a second chance and the judge may impose a jail sentence.

If you or a loved one has been accused of a drug crime or a probation violation in Southern California, please contact California’s skilled criminal defense attorneys at Sitkoff & Hanrahan to discuss your case. We will analyze your case, your history and your current situation to help you decide the best possible course of action. Our goal is to keep you out of jail and get you the help you need. Please call us at 888-579-4844 to find out more about your options.