The pandemic has stifled many forms of Texas commerce, but the drug trade isn’t one of them. Multiple news outlets report that a collaborative effort by law enforcement has yielded a major drug bust, leading to the dismantling of a poly-drug distribution cell in Austin.
The bust, which included the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Highway Patrol, and the Criminal Investigation Division, resulted in five arrests, with multiple people facing felony drug charges.
During the raid, authorities seized more than 12 pounds of marijuana, 261 grams of methamphetamine, three grams of the highly dangerous drug Fentanyl, more than 42 grams of cocaine, 24 units of LSD, 749 grams of THC edibles, 287 grams of Adderall pills, 131 grams of Xanax pills, 28 grams of Hydrocodone pills and approximately $9,230 in cash.
The drug operation was conducted at a home across the street from an elementary school. Of the five people arrested, four individuals are now facing multiple felony drug possession and distribution charges. One individual is facing probation violation for the incident, stemming from a previous drug and weapons violation on their record.
This incident comes immediately after another major drug bust reported by major outlets, involving at least 13 people, including current and former University of Texas students.
Authorities said the drug trafficking operation involved thousands of doses of counterfeit pills. The pills were sometimes sold as Adderall and Xanax, but included LSD, psilocybin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. All the individuals involved in the ring have been charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Some individuals have also been charged with money laundering. All 13 people arrested are under the age of 30. Many of them now face 10 years to life in prison.
Texas leans toward harsh punishments for drug offenders, especially in cases where children and young people may be exposed. In particular, felony drug arrests carry severe penalties that can change the course of an accused individual’s life. From lengthy prison sentences to thousands of dollars in fines, Texas attorneys are aggressive when prosecuting felony drug cases. Most of the time, they seek to punish drug offenders, not to rehabilitate or provide therapy to recover from an addiction.
Contact an Experienced Drug Offense Attorney
Just being charged with a serious drug offense is enough to damage your career, reputation, and education opportunities. After a drug charge, getting a job or place to live becomes virtually impossible.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a serious drug-related crime, it is time to get skilled and experienced help on your side.
The drug offenses legal team at Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian can review your case and help you build a solid defense strategy. Before things spiral out of your control, get the advice of an aggressive legal team that will fight to protect you and your rights. Call (972) 369-0577 any time to talk to an experienced Texas drug offense lawyer.