Police departments do not usually keep track of the relative sizes of their drug busts, but two drug busts that occurred in Indianapolis on July 3 caused an officer of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to describe the seizures as a “once-in-a-career” case. The amount of contraband that was taken into custody appears to be just as remarkable as the nature of the investigation that led to the seizure.
The IMPD began its investigation in March with uniformed officers working on beat patrols. IMPD Chief Bryan Roach said that beat patrols provide a more effective method of staying in touch with the residents of a neighborhood and with events in the neighborhood. According to the chief, beat officers are able to focus more closely on individual neighborhoods and to develop detailed knowledge of individual communities.
Using information from tips that were given to the patrolmen in the two districts in question, police said that they executed two search warrants on July 3, one in the southwest district and one in the southeast district. Five individuals were arrested and charged with a variety of drug crimes. The material that was recovered during the execution of the warrants included 45 pounds of suspected heroin, methamphetamines and black tar heroin, $44,000 in cash and eight guns. The drugs are estimated to have a street value of $750,000.
The defendants in this case are facing serious charges. A conviction could result in prison sentences of several years and fines. Anyone facing similar charges may benefit from consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer can evaluate the evidence and analyze the law that applies to the case. Moreover, any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, such as the failure to handle evidence properly or using improperly obtained evidence, may help obtain a favorable plea agreement or aid in the presentation of a persuasive defense case.
