Just weeks after three crew members were found with $65,000 worth of drugs onshore, $94,000 worth of cocaine and heroin were located by drug-sniffing dogs on the Enchantment of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean cruise liner docked in Baltimore. A search on January 8th by US Customs and Border Protection located about a pound of cocaine and a pound and a half of heroin aboard the Enchantment.

According to the Maryland criminal lawyer representing one of the crew members, The Enchantment had just returned to port, after a twelve-day cruise with stops in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Tortola.

In the original bust on December 18th, crew member Gavin Excell was found to be concealing quantaties of heroin and cocaine on his person after the boat docked. Excell implicated fellow crew members John Swart Garth and Kishurn Neptune, both twenty-seven years-old, and said the three had purchased the contraband while the ship was in port in the Dominican Republic.

In a statement, the cruise company says that they intend to comply with law enforcement efforts to investigate drug smuggling aboard their ships:

"[Royal Caribbean] continues to cooperate fully with authorities during their investigation of crew members onboard Enchantment of the Seas suspected of smuggling drugs. We continue to provide any assistance necessary to prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent of the law... Royal Caribbean International maintains a strict zero tolerance policy regarding illegal drugs on its ships. We take various steps to prevent the transport of illegal narcotics, including working closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection."

The contraband was located inside an employee locker, and law enforcement agents did not say whether they believed the two drug busts were linked. No further arrests have been made following the second discovery. All three men were indicted on charges of conspiring to import drugs.

This post is published by Price Benowitz LLP. Our attorneys represent clients in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. For more information about the firm and its lawyers, please visit the Virginia Criminal Attorney and Washington DC Criminal Attorney websites.

Practicing law in a metropolitan area, it is common for an experienced Maryland criminal lawyer to represent a number of famous individuals who have been accused of drug distribution or drug possession charges. Many musicians, specifically hip-hop artists, have been arrested on drug-related charges more than once. Such is the case of rap star DMX who faces reprimand again after violating the terms of his probation.

DMX, also known as Earl Simmons, was brought into custody on March 9th, when he admitted to his probation officer that he had abused cocaine since being released from jail on drug-related charges. Simmons previously spent ninety days in jail after being convicted of drug possession charges, theft charges, and animal-cruelty charges. However, on March 16th, he was sentenced to six months in jail for violating the terms of his current probation sentence.

Simmons' drug offense lawyer insists to the court that he is "desperately trying" to take control of his cocaine problem. Many believe that he is in great need of a long-term rehabilitation program where he will be closely monitored. Celebrity Rehab MD Drew Pinskey recently wrote a letter to the court requesting that Simmons be admitted to his treatment program as an alternative to jail. Although the judge seemed open to the idea, whether DMX's participation in rehab will be permitted or not is still undetermined.

Facing accusations of drug possession charges or drug distribution charges can be a scary and overwhelming process, regardless of celebrity status. Conviction of criminal charges will have life-changing consequences, including the loss of driving privileges, fines, and/or jail time. To protect your personal liberties and freedoms, it is essential to contact a hard-working and experienced Maryland drug offense lawyer. Doing so immediately can not only provide the best legal advice and legal representation, but also help ensure the most positive outcome for your case.

It is common during the legal career of an experienced Maryland criminal lawyer to represent a number of individuals who have been accused of a variety of criminal charges, including drug possession and drug distribution. Popular tourist areas such as Ocean City are prime locations for drug busts, especially as the weather warms and people are traveling. Just a few weeks ago, a similar case occurred where seven people were arrested on drug-related charges by Ocean City police in a number of raids.

Law enforcement officials concluded their extensive investigation of seven individuals who have been suspected of Maryland drug distribution charges. Shortly after 4:00 a.m., Ocean City Police Officers with help from other local forces raided eight different units within the Parrot Lagoon apartment complex. Investigators discovered approximately $750 in cash, as well as a variety of narcotics including: crack cocaine, methadone, and marijuana. Warrants served allowed police officers to arrest seven individuals for their involvement in the drug possession and drug distribution, including two men who were wanted for previous charges.

The Ocean City men who were arrested on Maryland drug possession charges range in age from twenty-three to fifty-three years-old, but received similar charges. Jemaine Heath, Wontorey Ward, and Jason Knaub were all arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana. Three others, Nathaniel Johnson, Thomas Brantley, and Melvin Harrell, were arrested for possession of more illicit drugs--such as methadone and crack cocaine. Lastly, Bernie Johnson Jr. was arrested on outstanding criminal charges from Wicomico County.

Being accused of drug possession and drug distribution charges is an overwhelming process for anyone to go through, regardless of age. Conviction of drug-related charges can have life-changing consequences, including the loss of driving privileges, fines, and/or jail time. To prevent your personal liberties and freedoms from being taken away, it is essential to contact a hard-working and trustworthy Maryland criminal attorney immediately for the best legal advice and legal representation available. Doing so can help ensure the most successful outcome for your case.

Practicing law in a populated and metropolitan area, a Maryland criminal lawyer will likely help famous clients who have been charged with a number of criminal charges. Examples of cases handled are much like that of former child star Brian Bonsall, who was taken into police custody for assault after getting into a bar brawl. He is being held in county on two separate bonds amounting to $7,500.

The Family Ties and 'Star Trek' The Next Generation star is currently facing third-degree assault charges for hitting his friend in the face with a bar stool. Bonsall and his "friend" Michael Trujillo were arguing at the bar when Bonsall was asked to leave. However, Bonsall reacted angrily and proceeded to beat Trujillo with a bar stool. According to police reports, alcohol is to have played a factor in this case, as Bonsall did not remember the incident the next day. However, the actor admitted that both he and his friend are bipolar and consume/possess drugs. Bonsall blames the possession of drugs as well as his psychological disorder for his failure to remember the assault.

Bonsall is no stranger to problems with the law. In 2004, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated. And in 2007, Bonsall was arrested for assaulting his then-girlfriend. For both charges, Bonsall failed to show to his court hearings. Therefore, when he was arrested for assault last week, police already had charges against him. All of the legal discretion have ultimately hurt Bonsall's case in this instance. It is likely that his sentencing will be greatly affected by his history.

Facing accusations of assault charges is an overwhelming process regardless of celebrity status. Conviction of criminal charges will have life changing consequences including the loss of driving privileges, fines, and/or jail time. For the best defense of your personal liberties and freedoms, it is important to contact a hard-working and experienced Maryland criminal attorney immediately.

Practicing criminal defense law in a metropolitan city, it is likely that a Maryland criminal lawyer will represent individuals who have been accused of drug possession charges and/or drug distribution charges. In big cities, local authorities have plenty reason to worry. This week, local police officers found vast amounts of ecstasy pills with President Barack Obama's face on them.

Drug offenses tend to be high in very populated regions of the country, particularly close to the nation's border. Federal and local law enforcement agencies seize narcotics such as marijuana and cocaine often. However, the drug possession charges of over two hundred ecstasy pills comes as a shock for local officials. It is very uncommon that officers discover MDMA pills, as they are now commonly known.

Early morning November 30th, 2009, police officers received a call reporting a reckless driver. According to officials, ecstasy was one of many illicit drugs found in the vehicle. The driver, Mario Guadalupe Saenz, authorized police to search his automobile. During that time it was confirmed that Saenz was in possession of drugs including over two hundred ecstasy tablets, along with numerous Xanax pills. (A prescription anti-anxiety medication).

The ecstasy tablets came in all shapes, sizes, and colors. In order to attract customers, the pills were shaped like popular figures, such as Barack Obama. It is believed that this was to look like vitamins, in order to attract children into taking the pills.

According to investigators, drug manufacture and drug distribution of these ecstasy tablets does occur within the United States. However, the main source of these illicit narcotics is from abroad. Although the origin of the drugs seized from Saenz's vehicle is currently unknown, upon further investigation officers found several grams of cocaine and several ounces of marijuana. Additionally, also found in the vehicle was a six gram mass of tar-heroin.

When dealing with the law enforcement officials, Saenz was allusive concerning whether the drugs in possession were for personal use or intended for drug distribution. Furthermore, he offered contradicting stories about where he acquired the various narcotics. Police officers arrested Saenz for drug possession and intention of drug distribution. In addition to bond being posted at $113,000, he was arraigned on four counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of marijuana possession. The largest penalty for these drug possession charges is twenty years in prison, and an addition fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.

Facing drug distribution charges and/or drug possession charges is a scary and difficult process for anyone to go through. Conviction of drug charges will have significant consequences that could be life changing--including, the loss of driving privileges, fines, and/or jail time. To prevent this from happening to you, it is important to contact a hard-working and experienced Maryland criminal attorney for representation immediately.