Kentucky police say they have made one of the largest drug busts in Boyd County history. A 38-year-old man was taken into police custody after investigators took a K-9 unit into a particular residence. In a combined effort between various task force departments, a search was conducted, during which police claim to have found a substance they believed to be fentanyl, a synthetic narcotic drug that is stronger than heroin.
Police seized numerous items from the home
In addition to the substance investigators claim was approximately $190,000 worth of fentanyl, officials who searched the residence also took custody of a firearm, a substantial amount of money and various items they believe to be illegal drug paraphernalia. The man who was arrested is being held in a county detention center. He is now facing criminal charges for aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
A seized substance must be sent to a laboratory
It is not enough for police to claim that a specific substance is fentanyl or some other illegal drug, even if a K-9 unit was used during a search and alerted officers to the substance. Investigators must adhere to all regulations regarding search and seizure and collection of evidence. When police allege that a particular substance is an illegal drug, it must be sent to a laboratory to scientifically confirm whether it is or isn’t the substance.
Every defendant is guaranteed an opportunity to refute criminal charges
No matter what charges prosecutors file against a Kentucky resident, he or she must be given a chance to present a defense in court. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help a defendant explore his or her options and can make recommendations about which type of defense strategy most applies to a particular case. Penalties for conviction of drug crimes can be quite severe, including time in jail or substantial fines. To mitigate one’s circumstances as much as possible, it is always a good idea to ask an experienced attorney to act as a personal advocate during proceedings.