Police in the New Orleans, Louisiana, suburb of Harahan recently arrested two men and a woman on suspicion of buying and selling illegal drugs. The arrests were the result of what police say was a confidential tip identifying the three as drug dealers. The trio is now awaiting a preliminary hearing to learn their drug charges.
Using the tipster’s information, Harahan police were able to identify a vehicle driven by one of the suspects. Investigators say that they pulled over one of the men based on the tip. The exact nature of the tip and the identity of the tipster have not yet been revealed. After the arrest, police searched the residences of the two men. In one apartment, police allegedly found oxycodone, and the owner was charged with distributing oxycodone.
In the second apartment, officers allegedly found 33.8 grams of marijuana, prescription pills and two guns. The resident of this apartment was charged with possession of marijuana, use of a firearm in connection with a drug-related activity, possession of hydrocodone, alprazolam and clonazepam. Police also searched the apartment of the woman, who was subsequently charged with possession of oxycodone and marijuana. Police did not indicate what led them to search the suspects’ apartments.
The charges in this case are serious, but the police have not answered many critical questions about why the defendants were arrested or the evidence trail that was followed to the residences of the three. Each of the three suspects is entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. A capable defense attorney may find crucial weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence and negotiate a favorable plea agreement or even obtain an outright acquittal.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune, “3 arrested on drug charges in Harahan,” Michelle Hunter, Sept. 18, 2017