Search warrants often play a key role in criminal investigations. Those search warrants may be the culmination of many weeks or months of surveillance, or they may come from tips from observant neighbors. The judge who authorizes the search must rely on the affidavit of North Carolina law enforcement before concluding that there is probable cause to sign the warrant. This is where it becomes essential to ensure that the rights of the accused are carefully protected.
A local police department recently received a tip through Crimestoppers concerning alleged illicit activity in a neighborhood. The caller identified a house on the block that may have been the scene of narcotics distribution. When police responded to the call, they spoke to a resident of the house at the front door. The responding officers claim to have smelled marijuana coming from inside the house, so they quickly obtained a warrant for a search.
During the search of the residence, officers claimed they recovered several dosage units of Oxycodone and Adderall, along with 215 grams of marijuana, which is not legal in North Carolina. Police reports also indicate officers discovered two handguns and an AK-47, ammunition and drug paraphernalia. Because of the supposed success of the search, the person who contacted Crimestoppers with the anonymous tip is eligible to receive a cash reward.
Meanwhile, the two men inside the home, ages 21 and 27, are facing numerous charges ranging from possession to felony conspiracy. In similar cases, North Carolina criminal defense attorneys have constructed an effective defense by questioning the validity of the search warrant and police execution of the warrant. By carefully examining these factors, an attorney can determine if the rights of the accused were violated in any way.
Source: abc11.com, "Drugs and guns seized following two arrests in Fayetteville", Morgan Norwood, Dec. 28, 2017
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