Police in Wilmington and throughout North Carolina initiate traffic stops on vehicles for a variety of reasons. While speeding is by far the most common reason, authorities may stop a vehicle because of issues with the car itself, or the vehicle could be reported stolen or suspected as being involved in other illegal activities. Reports did not specify the reason police pulled a car over in Wilmington recently, but the traffic stop led to the arrests of two individuals on drug charges.
Traffic stop and arrests
Around 10:20 p.m. on July 26, officers with the Wilmington Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 800 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. A description of the vehicle was not given, nor was a reason given as to why officers stopped the car in the first place. During the stop, police conducted a search of the vehicle. They claim to have found considerable amounts of drugs in the vehicle, including crack cocaine, heroin, Xanax and Adderall. They also say they seized a knife along with various drug paraphernalia.
The driver of the car, a 42-year-old man, was arrested and charged with driving while license revoked, possession of stolen goods and possession of cocaine. His secured bond was set at $3,500. The passenger, a 29-year-old woman, was charged with possession of schedule I and III controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia along with carrying a concealed weapon. Her secured bond was set at $6,500.
Mounting a defense
The charges these individuals face are serious and will have a significant impact on their future if convicted. As such, each will each want to work closely with an experienced criminal defense attorney in North Carolina. A lawyer will analyze all aspects of the initial traffic stop as well as the methods authorities used during their search and seizure of evidence. An attorney will fight aggressively to help the clients pursue the best possible outcome.