Juan Velez, 39, was recently arrested on Massachusetts Drug Crimes Charges for allegedly dealing heroin out of his Weymouth apartment. He was arraigned this past Friday in Quincy District Court on charges of Drug Trafficking in Heroin and Drug Violation in School Zone.
According to the Weymouth Police Department and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, police executed a search warrant at Velez’ Weymouth apartment earlier in the week. In the apartment, officers alleged seized heroin that was packaged for distribution. Weymouth police also seized several thousands of dollars, as well as two cars they allege Velez used to conduct his drug dealing activities.
At this time, it’s unclear what prompted the Weymouth Police Department to apply for a Search Warrant for Juan Velez’ home. In many cases such as these, the police use various methods in order to obtain the purported probable cause that enables them to obtain a search warrant.
Often times, a drug investigation will be initiated when an ‘anonymous tip’ or a ‘confidential informant’ provides information that drugs are being sold from within a certain location. In some cases, police will use a confidential informant to go in and conduct ‘controlled drug purchases’ from the location they believe drugs are being sold from. Other times, officers will also go undercover to purchase drugs themselves.
When a confidential informant is used in a controlled drug purchase, the officers will often ask the informant to purchase drugs on several different occasions over various dates. In these types of drug investigations, the officers will meet with the informant at a location near the target location, search him to make sure he doesn’t have any contraband on him, and then provide him with marked currency to purchase the drugs. At that point, the officers will maintain a surveillance as the informant enters the target apartment to make the drug purchase.
Once the purchase is completed, the offices will maintain surveillance as the informant exits the target location and they will meet up with him at a predetermined location. The informant is again searched and the drugs are provided to the officers conducting the surveillance.
In addition, the officers will seek information from the confidential informant as to how the drug transaction went down, including: a description of the layout of the location and/or the specific apartment number he entered; the names or descriptions of all persons that were in the apartment, as well as the person(s) who were involved in the transaction.
Once a few transactions are conducted in this manner, the police officers will then outline their investigation in an affidavit and apply for a search warrant, which is almost always granted.
Notwithstanding the issuance of a search warrant and ultimate seizure of drugs, money and the arrest of the person under investigation, a search warrant should always be carefully scrutinized to ensure that the affidavit sets forth sufficient probable cause and evaluated for a potential challenged on a Motion to Suppress.
Whenever anyone is arrested and/or charged on Massachusetts Drug Crimes, it is critical that they Consult With a Boston Drug Lawyer.
Massachusetts Criminal Attorney Lefteris K. Travayiakis has extensive experience in defending persons accused with Massachusetts Drug Crimes, including Drug Trafficking and Drug School Zone Violations, and is available 24/7 for consultation.
To schedule a Free Consultation, Click Here to Contact a Boston Drug Crimes Lawyer or call 617-325-9500.