Hampton Roads Federal Drug Investigations

Hampton Roads federal drug investigations are conducted in various ways. Confidential informants or people who are working with the government often provide information about the case and gather evidence against other people who were allegedly helping distribute drugs. To learn more about the investigation process of your case, contact a skilled federal drug attorney right away.

What Agencies are Involved in the Federal Drug Investigation Process?

The FBI plays a major role in Hampton Roads federal drug investigations. However, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also participate in the investigation with the help of other drug enforcement agencies. They also rely a lot on local agencies and the state police. While local agencies tend to do a lot of the brunt work, it is not common for local police forces to conduct charges. Then, during the charges, it is determined that the federal government should be involved, that state lines have been crossed and then they will contact people within federal law agencies and the federal agencies will pick up the case.

Common Mistakes to Avoid Throughout Hampton Roads Federal Drug Investigations

One of the most common mistakes is that they talk too much either to other people or to the law enforcement and they may not realize they are being taped by a confidential informant. Other times, if they are being interviewed by the police, they think they can talk their way out of it or they talk because they have been arrested. A person cannot be forced to talk and, more than likely, they are not going to be able to talk their way out of problems; they are just digging that hole deeper. People tend to get themselves into trouble by talking too much.

What is the Typical Arrest Procedure for Drug-Related Charges?

Hampton Roads federal drug investigations do not always lead to an arrest. Someone will likely be given a summons for a marijuana possession or paraphernalia charge. However, possession of a controlled substance or a distribution charge can lead to an arrest.

Depending on their criminal record or the nature of the charges, or what kind of drugs were involved, they could be denied bond and if that happens, they are held in jail until the court date or until they are able to make bond.

How Does the Drug Type and Quantity Affect the Arrest Process?

If the drug involved is marijuana, a person is likely not going to get arrested if it is a simple possession. If it is a distribution charge, the person will be arrested. When the police make arrests, they look at the quantity of the drugs, the person’s criminal record and also the nature of the incident which plays into it.

If there is a traffic stop and the police find drugs, they are going to arrest them right there. Often in situations where there are controlled buys in which there are undercover informants making purchases from drug dealers; they may wait for a while before making any arrests, because they may want to try to get a certain person and make as many sales as possible. They also want to try to use their confidential informants as much as possible so that they do not get burned and they are no longer useful to them.

How an Attorney Can Help

When an attorney learns of Hampton Roads federal drug investigations, they will do what they can to understand the origin of the charges involved. An attorney could try looking for evidence to combat the prosecution and governments case.

A lawyer can also call sources, witnesses and informants into question after the government presents their case. Informants have drug histories and are often known within the community. This makes it easier for them to navigate that environment on behalf of the prosecution. Barring that, the attorney will try to see if this is something where they can negotiate an outcome that works for all parties involved.