If people are arrested after police find drugs on them, criminal proceedings are likely to follow. However, police may also follow up that arrest with additional searches of the people's homes, cars and offices particularly if the people are accused of drug trafficking. If police suspect that a person may have additional contraband, they can get a warrant to carry out the additional searches.
In a recent Oregon case, police completed a search on two men's home following the arrest of one of the men on drug charges. In this case, police claim that they heard that these men were drug dealers.
After a month long investigation, the police finally arrested one of the men -- a 30-year-old -- in a parking lot off of Southeast 82nd Avenue in Portland. At the time of the arrest, the police alleged that they found an ounce of heroin on the man. Police also say that the man was carrying a handgun when he was arrested.
Following the arrest, the police searched the two men's home. In that search, police claim to have found multiple weapons. In all the cops found 34 firearms in two safes. These weapons included handguns and rifles in addition to ammunition. Police are investigating these weapons to see if any are listed as stolen.
Now, in addition to the drug charges, it is likely that these men will face weapons charges as well. These new charges could increase the penalties that these men face. The weapons and any other evidence the police may have found during the search could also be used as evidence against the men in court.
In searches that occur after someone's arrest, like the search in this case, there is the possibility that constitutional protections were broken. In all searches, police have specific rules that need to be followed. People who have had their property searched need to make sure these rules are followed from the beginning of their case.
Source: The Oregonian, "Guns, drugs seized from Southeast Portland home," Noelle Crombie, Feb. 21, 2013
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