In December of last year, authorities intercepted a parcel filled with marijuana at an Orlando United States Parcel center. The drugs were addressed to an International Drive hotel, the Hyatt Regency. Following an in-depth investigation by authorities into the package and an allege drug ring that was distributing the contraband materials, a number of individuals have since been arrested and charged with drug offenses.
Following the interception of the marijuana, police repackaged its contents and delivered it to the address listed on the package. The package was allegedly delivered to a man, who then delivered its contents to several addresses in the Central Florida area. Allegedly, the deliveryman and his associates were responsible for distributing hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of drugs.
While law enforcement authorities were carrying out the investigation, they code-named it Operation Hotel California. Ultimately, over a dozen people were arrested, including a Florida resident and a California resident. Among the arrested individuals, some were accused of racketeering — an offense that is punishable with as much as a 30-year prison term.
Whenever drug offenses include trafficking allegations that cross state borders, it is common for them to become matters of federal jurisdiction. Still, it does not matter if alleged crimes are state or federal violations, any Florida resident accused of a criminal act will have the right to a criminal defense. Because of the severe penalties of federal drug crimes, it’s important that defendants present a strong defense against such charges. An experienced attorney can provide more information about defense strategies in your case.
Source: Orlando Sentinel, “Marijuana arrives in Orlando via ‘unique’ method” Amy Pavuk, Aug. 19, 2014