When drug charges result from a traffic stop, one of the most important things to consider in defense of the suspect is whether police followed the proper procedure when pulling over the vehicle. Often, regardless of what prosecutors claim, there is doubt as to whether police had probable cause to stop the driver. There is also the question of whether police adhered to proper procedure before, during and after the search of the vehicle.
These issues may come up in a case involving a Fox Lake man who was recently charged with delivery and possession of drugs. A spokesperson for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office claims the 36-year-old was seen disregarding stop signs in a parking lot in Deer Park. Officers stopped his vehicle because he allegedly didn’t use a signal before turning.
A drug dog was brought to the scene because police claim the man was behaving in a suspicious manner. Again, in some cases, this kind of police action may be a matter to be questioned. Suspicion is a highly subjective emotion that can be stimulated by all sorts of behavior, not all of which warrant searching a person’s property.
Authorities say the man in this case indicated to detectives that there were ecstasy pills in his vehicle. This information was apparently disclosed before the K9 arrived. According to police, the suspect also told them that he was delivering drugs for someone who lives in Chicago.
The police claim to have seized 342 ecstasy pills from the vehicle, along with $273 in cash. The Fox Lake man was charged with unlawful delivery of controlled substances and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. He is also charged with traffic violations.
Like everyone facing felony drug charges, he will need a strong criminal defense.
Source: Lake Zurich Patch, “Lake Zurich Traffic Arrest Leads to Ecstasy Drug Charges,” Claudia Lenart, Dec. 6, 2012
