For business owners in certain industries, such as the nightclub industry, keeping close tabs on business affairs is necessary. In some cases, those business affairs might be monitored even more closely by law enforcement officers than they are by the business owner. For one former Baltimore club owner, being involved in the local drug trade has landed him a prison sentence.
The activities of the former Sonar club were discovered when a search warrant was executed by the Drug Enforcement Administration at the man’s home. During the search of the man’s home, agents recovered $30,000 in cash, tally sheets with over $14.5 million worth of marijuana sales recorded, 30 cellphones, more than 80 pounds of marijuana, false identification and four money counters. They also recovered documentation pertaining to the purchase of a plane for $450,000.
The 38-year-old man was convicted of conspiring to distribute between 100 and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. He was also convicted of interstate travel to further drug trafficking and conspiring to engage in money laundering. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Others who were allegedly leading the drug organization with the man still have drug charges pending against them. For those men and women, understanding the charges against them is vital. They should also make sure that they understand the possible sentences they might receive if they are convicted of the charges.
Those who are charged with similar crimes may benefit from the advice of a Maryland criminal defense attorney. A legal professional can help ensure a defendant’s rights are protected as the case moves through the legal system, including making sure he or she receives a fair and unbiased trial.
Source: WUSA, “Club owner gets 10 years in prison for drugs” Greg Cohen, Mar. 20, 2014