A 34-year-old Hallandale Beach man and a 27-year-old Fort Lauderdale women have been arrested in Sunrise in an apparent intended delivery of 8.5 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated $240,750. Police reports indicate that the woman drove a bag from the man’s home to the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Sunrise in her Toyota Scion while the man drove another bag in his Kia Soul to the same location. They were followed from the man’s home by police after a meeting was set up by a confidential source who was acting as a buyer. When the man driving the Kia took a bag that the woman had transported from her car and gave it to the confidential source, police moved in and arrested the two. Reports indicated that the remaining 7.5 kilograms of cocaine was found in the woman’s Toyota.
At a bond hearing the next day, an attorney representing the woman remarked that she was an Uber driver who had been called to the man’s home, and there was nothing to indicate what was in the bags. Uber denied booking a trip for the man or the driver. Both defendants are facing charges of conspiracy to traffic cocaine and trafficking cocaine in an amount less than 150 kilograms. Bond was set at $500,000 each. The man apparently confessed to the crime.
All drug trafficking convictions in Florida have mandatory minimum sentences. Each of the Sunrise defendants can be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison with a fine not to exceed $250,000. Judges have very little discretion with mandatory minimum sentencing. As per Fort Laduerdale drug trafficking lawyer Kenneth Hassett, the fact of the Sunrise case reveal many possible defenses, especially for the female defendant.
As a Fort Laduerdale drug trafficking lawyer, Kenneth Hassett is knowledgeable and experienced in defending people accused of drug trafficking and the Florida criminal court system. If you or somebody close to you has been charged with drug trafficking or possession, contact Hassett & Associates at 954-791-3939. He will know what options and strategies will best apply to your case.
