DEA announces campaign to target Chicago-area drug trafficking

Chicago-area authorities have been focusing lately on counteracting Mexican drug trafficking cartels and the Chicago street gangs that collaborate with them.

2013-04-17

April 17, 2013 (Press-News.org) DEA announces campaign to target Chicago-area drug trafficking

Article provided by Law Office of Stephen L. Richards
Visit us at http://www.richardscriminallaw.com/

Drug offenses are serious crimes that can bring strict penalties under both federal and state law. While all drug crimes can draw police attention, Chicago-area authorities have been focusing lately on counteracting Mexican drug trafficking cartels and the Chicago street gangs that collaborate with them.

In February, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced that it would be launching a new strike force designed to target drug trafficking in Chicago. As part of that campaign, the Chicago Crime Commission designated alleged Sinaloa cartel kingpin Joaquin Guzman Loera as its new "Public Enemy Number One."

The DEA has accused Loera and his cartel of using Chicago as a hub to distribute illegal drugs throughout the Midwest. In a recent press conference, the executive vice president of the Chicago Crime Commission said that approximately 90 percent of all the drugs sold in Chicago are believed to have originated with the Sinaloa cartel. The cartel traffics primarily in cocaine, heroin and marijuana.

In addition, authorities believe that the cartel is responsible for a significant amount of the gang violence in Chicago. The cartel uses local gangs to distribute drugs throughout the region. All too often, conflicts between these gangs are settled with violence. In 2012, there were more homicides in Chicago than in any other metropolis in the United States -- a total of 506 overall. A significant number of these homicides were suspected to be linked to gang violence.

Drug trafficking penalties

The DEA has announced its attention to conduct raids that target suspected drug traffickers and their collaborators. Because of the significant penalties attached to drug charges, anyone arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking would be wise to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after the arrest.

The federal penalties for drug trafficking vary based on the types and quantities of drugs at issue. A first offense for trafficking between 500 and 4,999 grams of cocaine, between 100 and 999 grams of heroin or between 5 and 49 grams of methamphetamine is punishable by between five and 40 years in prison. A first offense for trafficking in larger quantities of these drugs can bring a prison sentence of 10 years to life.

The penalties for trafficking in marijuana are different, but they are still significant. A first offense for trafficking in less than 50 kilograms of marijuana can be punished by up to five years in federal prison. The penalties increase with the amount involved. On the high end, a first offense for trafficking in 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana can result in a sentence of between 10 years and life in prison.

Whatever the charge, it is important to understand just how serious drug convictions can be. Even a conviction for the sale or possession of a moderate amount of drugs can have life-altering consequences. If you or a loved one has been charged with a drug offense, contact a Chicago criminal defense attorney who can help you protect your rights and your future.

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Misconduct results in overturned conviction

2013-04-17

Misconduct results in overturned conviction Article provided by William Foreman, P.C. Visit us at http://www.williamforemanpc.net A recent high-profile decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has received attention due to the misconduct of a police investigator, and the withholding of this information by prosecutors. This could lead to the reversal or even dismissal of cases for some Arizonans accused of crimes. The case concerns the homicide of a four-year old child. The child had wanted to see Santa Claus at a nearby mall. The boy's mother ...

Study links mild head trauma to "potholes" in brain tissue

2013-04-17

Study links mild head trauma to "potholes" in brain tissue Article provided by Hiering, Dupignac, Stanzione, Dunn & Beck, PC Visit us at http://www.hdsdb.com/ A recent study of military combat veterans revealed that even so-called "mild" traumatic brain injuries can cause abnormalities in the brain's white matter tissues. These trauma-related abnormalities, which some experts refer to as "potholes," have been linked to long-term cognitive problems. Among civilians and soldiers alike, concussions and other traumatic brain injuries ...

Rules for division of property during a divorce

2013-04-17

Rules for division of property during a divorce Article provided by Bartle, McGrane, Duffy & Jones, LLP Visit us at http://www.bmdjlaw.com New York residents know dividing property can be one of the most challenging aspects of divorce. However, with a thorough understanding of New York property division laws, property division issues can be resolved fairly and efficiently. Separate and marital property It is important to understand that not all property is subject to division during a divorce. Property that is acquired during the marriage is generally ...

Kent County judge hears case regarding decriminalizing marijuana

2013-04-17

Kent County judge hears case regarding decriminalizing marijuana Article provided by Kortes, Lykins, Hunting & Jansma, PLLC Visit us at http://www.jansmalaw.com Last November, Grand Rapids residents took to the polls and voted to change the way marijuana possession is handled in the city. The city charter amendment made possession of marijuana a purely civil offense, eliminating criminal penalties for possessing the drug. Under the ordinance, those found in possession of marijuana in Grand Rapids, Michigan will be subject to a ticket and fine -- nothing more. Shortly ...

Factors to consider when purchasing long-term care insurance

2013-04-17

Factors to consider when purchasing long-term care insurance Article provided by Weiner & McCulloch, PLLC Visit us at http://www.elderlawhousing.com Thinking about and determining the resources needed to address the long-term care needs of an aging parent or family member is difficult yet important. Long-term care insurance may not be right for everyone's needs, but if long-term care insurance is appropriate for you or your loved one there are a number of factors to consider when choosing a policy. Personal risk factors To decide whether long-term care ...

New York "stop and frisk" tactics are under fire

2013-04-17

New York "stop and frisk" tactics are under fire Article provided by Michael A. Ferraro, Esq., P.C. Visit us at http://www.orangecountynycriminallaw.com In 1968, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Terry v. Ohio that police officers could briefly detain ("stop") and pat-down ("frisk") a person when the officer has a reasonable suspicion that criminal activity is afoot and the person is armed and dangerous. Police departments nationwide use this "stop and frisk" technique, including the New York Police Department (NYPD). New ...

Employer's safety violations result in employee death

2013-04-17

Employer's safety violations result in employee death Article provided by Norfleet and Lafferty LLC Visit us at http://www.norlaflaw.com/ Employers who fail to provide a safe work environment risk their employees sustaining a serious injury on the job. In a worst case scenario, an unsafe work environment results in fatality. Employee was not provided flame resistant clothing A natural gas producer recently experienced such a tragedy at one of its gas well sites after employee was killed from injuries he suffered during a flash fire. The employees were not ...

Proposed legislation helps drug offenders make a fresh start

2013-04-17

Proposed legislation helps drug offenders make a fresh start Article provided by Law Offices of David Paul White and Associates Visit us at http://www.davidpaulwhite.com/ Getting convicted of a Utah drug offense is a serious issue. Because of the stigma associated with drug crimes, it is often difficult for recovering drug addicts to build a stable lifestyle after getting clean and serving their sentences. Now, state lawmakers are considering legislation to help recovering addicts make a fresh start. Current Utah law does not allow expungement of a criminal record ...

Maryland's implied consent law for DWI and DUI

2013-04-17

Maryland's implied consent law for DWI and DUI Article provided by Greenberg Law Office Visit us at http://www.greenberglawyers.com It is important for people in Maryland to know their rights if they are pulled over on suspicion of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence. In Maryland, a DWI is a more serious offense, carrying up to a $1,000 fine for a first-time offense and up to a $2,000 fine for a second offense. A person is considered to be driving while intoxicated if his or her blood-alcohol concentration is 0.08 or higher. A person who is ...

DWI crashes may be attributed to bars over-serving alcohol

2013-04-17

DWI crashes may be attributed to bars over-serving alcohol Article provided by Michalk, Beatty & Alcozer, L.P. Visit us at http://www.mbaattorneys.com The danger of drunk driving was emphatically brought to the attention of Texans by two violent crashes on Interstate 45. In one accident late at night, a suspected drunk driver was headed the wrong way when his car struck another vehicle, killing three people. A woman who was intoxicated had gotten into a wrong-way fatal accident on the same highway just two days earlier, crashing her pickup truck into a smaller ...