On June 29, two California men were indicted on charges associated with a shootout that occurred at a dollar store in Bakersfield. A third person was also thought to be involved in the incident, though he was not included on the indictment. However, another six individuals were included due to a possible heroin and methamphetamine trafficking ring that was thought to be connected to the shooting.
One of the men who was indicted, a 33-year-old Bakersfield resident, reportedly headed a drug organization that was operational between March 2016 and mid-June 2017. The Drug Enforcement Administration opened an investigation into the organization in October. An informant allegedly discovered that the man had a drug stash house in the 1200 block of 3rd Street. In November, the man offered to sell the informant heroin.
The shooting took place while the DEA was still investigating the alleged drug organization. The alleged drug organization leader and a second man, age 28, were later taken into custody on June 14 during a traffic stop. They were both facing murder charges and drug trafficking charges. They were both being held on a bail of $5 million and had a hearing scheduled for July 5.
Drug trafficking convictions can have serious consequences, including prison time. However, because drug crimes are so aggressively investigated and prosecuted, it is possible for the authorities to violate the rights of those who are accused. A criminal law attorney may follow the case every step of the way to ensure that the accused person is facing a fair trial. If there are weak points in the case or the person’s rights were violated, the attorney may seek to have the case dismissed.
Source: Bakersfield.com, “Two arrested in Bakersfield dollar store shooting indicted as kingpin, enforcer of drug trafficking organization“, Jason Kotowski, June 29, 2017
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