Many prosecutions for possession of narcotics with intent to sell are handled by the federal government. In Connecticut, these federal courthouses are located in Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford, and handled by the United States’ Attorney’s Office. The investigations are often performed by the Drug Enforcement Agency, or “DEA”, but can also involve the “ATF”, standing for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, or even the Postal Service Inspectors. Drug prosecutions in federal court often involve quantities up to pounds or kilograms of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, prescription drugs, or, yes, marijuana or cannabis. These cases can also involve attempts to seize or forfeit property. Santos & LaLima has seen the many different ways a federal drug prosecution can lead, and vigorously defended its clients in all of them.

While the federal government frequently handles drug cases, prosecutors for the state of Connecticut still prosecute drug offenses every day, in cases investigated and arrests made by local police departments. Connecticut has multiple levels of narcotics offenses for possession, sale, and manufacturing of different types of narcotics, and having an attorney who understands how to navigate these laws is invaluable. Additionally, your attorney should understand the possibility for applying for a court program for your drug case, which could lead to the dismissal and erasing of your criminal record. Santos & LaLima has experience defending drug prosecutions in Connecticut state courts ranging from Litchfield and New London to Hartford and New Britain.

In prosecutions involving drug crimes, the investigation has often been ongoing for a very long period of time. Federal drug investigators often will conduct long-term surveillance of drug suspects, and even conduct long-term, months long wiretaps of phone calls. Federal agents also will work with state police or state prosecutors in task forces to conduct their complicated, extended investigations into narcotics sales. Finally, drug authorities will even arrange buys themselves. In longer investigations, the government will often use the length of the investigation to increase the drug quantity charged. If you believe you may be the target of a state or federal criminal drug investigation, it is never too early to contact an experienced attorney to be prepared and discuss the risks to you.