Anthony Reeves, 26, a Lumberton resident, was arrested along with 40 other New Jersey residents in a recent undercover operation in Camden targeting would-be heroin buyers. As a result of this one-day undercover operation, many residents of the suburban areas surrounding Camden, including Reeves, are now facing charges for attempted possession of heroin. Two of the other 40 arrests were also Burlington County residents.
New Jersey Heroin Possession Laws
New Jersey law mandates, under N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1, that an attempt to commit a crime is subject to the same penalties dictated by law for having actually committed the crime. Therefore, Reeves, along with all of the other New Jersey residents arrested as a result of this police operation, will be facing charges for attempting to possess heroin under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10, the statute that prohibits possession of controlled substances. This offense, which is a third-degree crime, carries harsh penalties including possible jail time of up to 5 years, as well as a fine of up to $35,000, and a 6 month driver’s license suspension which is mandatory and cannot be waived by a judge. These penalties apply for possession of even small amounts of heroin, but the penalties could become even more harsh if Reeves is accused of attempting to purchase more than one half ounce of heroin, or if the circumstances of his case give the arresting officers and prosecutor any leeway to argue that he intended to distribute the heroin he was allegedly planning to purchase. In cases where more than one half ounce of heroin is at issue, the criminal charges then become a second-degree offense, and the penalties increase to a potential 5-10 years of jail time. In cases with five ounces or more at issue, the offense becomes a first-degree crime, carrying potential penalties of 10-20 years in jail and fines of up to $500,000.
If you or a loved one are facing drug related charges, such as possession of a controlled substance, attempted possession of a controlled substance, or intent to distribute a controlled substance, contact our office today for a free consultation to find out how we can help you minimize the effect of the potentially harsh consequences on your life.
