Man arrested in St. Johns County after police find alleged mobile meth lab in Wal-Mart parking lot

Police arrived on the scene of what they thought was a theft investigation, but came upon what they now say was a mobile methamphetamines lab. Officers were called because of a man stealing items from a Wal-Mart, but say they discovered more than $1,700 worth of stolen items used to manufacture meth, according to a report on News4Jax. Various chemicals are combined to manufacture meth, and it is becoming increasingly common for mobile meth labs to be discovered in cars, apartments and hotel rooms. Now, the man is facing multiple felony charges, including trafficking in methamphetamines, manufacturing methamphetamines and possession of methamphetamines. Trafficking in methamphetamine is a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in state prison. Manufacturing the drug and possession of meth are both second-degree felonies with a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in state prison. Police also found cocaine on the man when he was arrested and charged him with larceny for the items he allegedly stole from the store. Both of those charges are third-degree felonies and each have a maximum prison exposure of five years in state prison.

So if the defendant in this St. Johns County Drug Crimes Case was convicted of all counts and sentenced to the maximum, he’d be looking at 70 years in state prison. While that is highly unlikely, he is facing very serious charges. In St. Johns County Drug Crime Cases, the charges are based on two primary factors: the type and amount of the drug the person is accused of possessing. For example, one of the charges in this case is trafficking in methamphetamines. While this charge sounds like the man is accused of selling large quantities of the drug, it has nothing to do with selling drugs. Trafficking charges are based solely on the amount of the drug the person is accused of possessing. In St. Johns County Drug Crimes Cases involving meth, the trafficking amount begins at 14 grams. As a comparison, drug charges involving marijuana are still misdemeanors at that amount. Trafficking charges also have minimum mandatory sentences that apply based on the amount of the drug the person is accused of possessing.

Our St. Johns County Drug Crimes attorney represents people facing all types of drug charges, from misdemeanor marijuana possession on up to trafficking in or manufacturing methamphetamines. Our St. Johns County Criminal Defense Attorney will thoroughly investigate your case and provide you or your loved one with the information you need to make a decision on how to proceed.

If you or a loved one needs a criminal defense attorney in Jacksonville or the surrounding area, call The Mussallem Law Firm at (904) 365-5200 for a FREE CONSULTATION. Our St. Johns County Drug Crimes Attorney, Victoria “Tori” Mussallem, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.