Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
On August 15, 26-year-old Eric Santos of Nantucket was indicted on a charge of possession of heroin with intent to distribute after he allegedly flew to Hyannis from his home to purchase heroin, according to a news article at the Cape Cod Times.
A Barnstable County grand jury indicted Santos on the charge, which came after police departments in Nantucket and Barnstable worked together to catch him. A police report indicated that Barnstable police were notified by Nantucket police that the suspect would be flying to Hyannis to purchase heroin to bring back to Nantucket via an Island Airlines flight.
After arriving in Hyannis, Santos was unknowingly followed by Barnstable police as he went to a McDonald’s and was delivered to a Hyannis residence after being picked up by a taxi. Santos allegedly remained inside the residence only a short time before leaving in a taxi and being dropped off at the airport. This is when police approached the suspect with a drug-sniffing dog. Upon the dog detecting narcotics, police found a digital scale and 12 grams of heroin in Santos’ backpack, estimated to have a street value of $6,000.
In Massachusetts, the criminal penalties for a first-time offender convicted of possession of heroin with intent to distribute include a maximum of 10 years in state prison, or 2 1/2 years in the House of Correction, along with fines of up to $10,000 and loss of driver’s license.
These are very serious penalties, however in Michigan the consequences an individual will face if found guilty of heroin possession with intent to deliver are even more serious. A first-time offender convicted of this drug offense when less than 50 grams of heroin is involved will face a maximum prison term of 20 years, along with fines of as much as $25,000.
It is important to know that when a person possesses an illegal drug such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, or even marijuana, the amount in that person’s possession may dictate whether prosecutors attempt to charge the individual with possession, or possession with intent to distribute or deliver. When the amount of a drug a person possesses is more than police and prosecutors feel someone would possess for his or her own personal use, they may attempt to up the charges to include distribution. This will result in harsher penalties if the defendant is found guilty.
Regardless of your circumstances, any drug charge is serious and may results in jail time, fines, driver’s license suspension, and more. The most important step you can take even if you are under investigation and have not been charged with a crime is to discuss your case with a seasoned Michigan drug crime attorney.