Police are trained to handle every routine traffic stop they make the same. When approaching the vehicle, any observations that appear to be suspicious in nature can lead an officer to dig deeper into what the occupants of the car are doing. In a recent arrest of a South Carolina man on drug charges, police claim that the entire investigation began after they stopped the man for a minor traffic violation.
The stop was initiated at around 11 a.m. for an undisclosed violation. When police asked the man to exit his vehicle, they claim that they noticed that the man was shaking. Police then allege to have seen a bag of marijuana in the man’s car.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a bag of cash that totaled over $37,000. Police then received a warrant to search the man’s home. At the home, it is alleged that the police discovered about a pound of marijuana as well as numerous firearms.
Taking a step-by-step approach in analyzing the conduct of police in their investigation may reveal critical details into whether their searches were reasonable. Due to the vast amount of evidence that can be gathered to support drug charges as a result of a search, it may be important to evaluate whether these searches complied with South Carolina and Federal law. If there is reason to question that they did, an argument may be made that the search was improper and that the evidence seized as a result, should be excluded from the man’s case.
Source: wbtw.com, Traffic stop leads to arrest, seizure of weapons, drugs, money, No author, Sept. 9, 2013
