Maryland Man Arrested on Marijuana Distribution, Kingpin Charges

 

Drug charges in Maryland are no laughing matter, as they can lead to serious penalties. Even a conviction involving marijuana can result in thousands of dollars in fines and decades in prison.

A Maryland man is facing 20 years in prison for multiple marijuana charges. He is charged with multiple misdemeanor and felony crimes for keeping approximately 249 pounds of marijuana in a storage facility. The marijuana was valued at more than $1 million.

The 30-year-old man from Joppa was arrested after authorities acted on a tip that they received in January 2017. They found out that the man and his 26-year-old girlfriend were storing the marijuana in a facility on Pulaski Highway. Police executed a search warrant at the storage facility and their residence, located on Mountain Road, and both were arrested.

The two received marijuana from California and put it in the storage facility, where they would package it. Police found various forms of drug paraphernalia, including $185,000 in cash, a money counter, digital scales and a heat sealer. Multiple items were seized from the couple’s home, including a Mercedes-Benz C300, a Jaguar XF sedan, a BMW motorcycle, ATVs, Honda watercraft, TVs, women’s jewelry and handbags.

The man was convicted of possession with intent to distribute, drug distribution, conspiracy to distribute drugs, drug possession (marijuana and mushrooms) and being a kingpin. He will serve all sentences concurrently, so he will serve a total of 20 years in prison. He and his girlfriend, who faces several charges of her own, were both released on a $50,000 bond. She has pled not guilty to the charges and will appear in court on August 28.

What is a Kingpin?

You may not be familiar with the term “kingpin,” but you have likely heard of a drug lord. These two terms are the same. A kingpin is someone who oversees a network of people who are involved in the illegal drug trade. They may organize, supervise or manage those who sell the drug. A kingpin conspires to possess, dispense, transport or manufacture drugs.

Under Maryland Code, Criminal Law, Section 5-613, a conviction can result in 20-40 years in prison, as well as a fine of up to $1 million. The mandatory minimum sentence is 20 years, and a person is not eligible for parole during this time.

A kingpin is defined as someone who is in possession of a certain amount of drugs. This includes 50 pounds of marijuana, 28 grams of opium, 5 grams of fentanyl and 448 grams of cocaine, crack or methamphetamine.

Contact a Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

While marijuana is not considered a serious drug by many, being in possession of a large amount of it can lead to serious criminal charges. If you are convicted of any type of drug charge, protect yourself with solid legal representation.

A Columbia drug crimes lawyer at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. can assess your case and help you achieve a favorable outcome. Schedule a free consultation by calling (410) 774-5987 or filling out the online form.

Resource:

patch.com/maryland/belair/joppa-drug-dealer-sentenced-being-drug-kingpin

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