According to the U. S. Attorney’s Office, authorities recently made federal firearms and drug trafficking charges against two men and one woman from Ventura County, California. The arrests were made in connection with an undercover police operation targeting alleged California gang members. Several law enforcement agencies have taken part in the operation, which has reportedly spanned a number of months and resulted in a total of six arrests.
Authorities allege that, during a sting operation in Camarillo, one suspect agreed to sell 10 pounds of methamphetamine and 4 kilograms of cocaine to an undercover officer for the price of $200,000. The accused individual did not realize that the person with whom he was speaking was an undercover officer.
While the federal charges against these Ventura County residents are very serious, it is important not to forget that everyone in California is innocent until proven guilty. In a case such as this one, numerous factors can affect the severity of the possible penalties faced by those accused of drug crimes. For instance, there may be details of the investigation or the arrest that can result in reduced charges, and not everyone accused of drug crimes is guilty. One option for anyone faced with these charges is to quickly seek experienced legal counsel, as individuals should always be aware of their rights when trying to navigate the court process. In what can certainly seem like an overwhelming situation, it is important to consider all legal options to achieve the best possible outcome.
Source: Ventura County Star, “3 alleged gang members from Ventura County arrested on federal drug, gun charges,” Cindy Von Quednow, Oct. 26, 2011