As many people in Michigan know, federal drug crimes are among the most serious a person can be charged with. The power of the federal government to investigate, prosecute and convict people involved, or allegedly involved, in drug crimes is immense. Sentences are often long and fines are often heavy.
Federal investigators say they have broken up a large drug ring based in Detroit, Michigan, and one of the people arrested is a former Michigan state legislator. Authorities say the alleged drug crimes include distribution of large amounts of heroin, cocaine and marijuana, and also involved money laundering involving more than $21 million.
The 12 people who were arrested allegedly had a taste for expensive vehicles. Authorities say they bought cars including four Mercedes, two Bentleys, a Range Rover, a Ferrari, a Rolls-Royce and two boats. Authorities say the drugs were coming from the southwestern United States via Mexican drug cartels.
Of the 12 people who were arrested, all except for three listed addresses in Michigan. The others were from Arizona, California and Florida. The investigation that preceded their arrest was a combined effort from several local, federal and state jurisdictions, including the Drug Enforcement Agency, Immigration and Customs, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the Michigan State Police and several local police departments.
While the charges against the 12 men and women are indeed serious, they are still entitled to hire an experienced drug crimes attorney who will fight for their rights and attempt to minimize the punishment they are facing.
Source: MLive.com, “Former state Rep. among 12 charged in massive drug bust in Metro Detroit,” Jonathan Oosting, Feb. 1, 2012
