Two men in New York were jailed in February after being arrested on drug charges related to cocaine. In the town of Southpoirt, where the New York State Police’s Community Narcotics Enforcement Team joined with two more special police forces carried out a raid and investigation into narcotics distribution on Caton Avenue in the town. There, two men from Elmira were accused of possession of approximately 13 grams of cocaine.
At the residence, detectives conducting a search and seizure reportedly confiscated the 13 grams of cocaine in addition to drug paraphernalia, a 2005 Mercedes-Benz vehicle and $3,771 in U.S. currency. The two men, aged 31 and 26, are facing misdemeanor and felony drug charges. They were accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree. The possession charge is a class B felony while the paraphernalia charge is a misdemeanor. The two men were brought to town court and sent to the Chemung County Jail; the 31-year-old was denied bail while the 26-year old was given a bail order of $25,000 cash or a $50,000 bond.
Drug charges in New York can be accompanied by severe penalties, including a felony criminal record as well as extensive fines and prison time. Even small-scale possession allegations can come with felony charges, and a conviction can permanently affect a person’s ability to find work and housing.
People who are facing drug charges of any kind in New York, especially allegations related to felony drug crimes, may be able to present a defense in court by working with a criminal defense attorney. A lawyer might challenge law enforcement practices and police conduct during a drug investigation and search in order to protect their clients’ rights.
