Drug Trafficking Through an Airport: A Guide to Georgia Drug Charges
If you attempt to funnel drugs through an airport, you can face specific charges in Georgia. The Atlanta police department has an Airport Drug Interdiction Unit (ADIU) with specific strategies and procedures to monitor and intercept illegal drugs at the airport. Knowing how the unit operates can help you understand and defeat the charges against you. In this article, the Cobb County drug charges attorneys at Andrew L. Schwartz, P.C. will discuss what to expect if you are charged with drug trafficking through an airport.
How does the Airport Drug Interdiction Unit Operate?
Airports in general are a key focus of law enforcement in intercepting illegal drugs. The ADIU uses various tactics to detect drug trafficking. These methods include:
- On-site observation – ADIU officers will conduct independent investigations by observing passengers who are arriving and departing from the airport. They will monitor their behavior and other indicators to identify potential drug traffickers.
- Informants and jurisdictional information – The ADIU uses tips from informants, other law enforcement officers, and other sources to investigate drug-related activity involving passengers and even employees of the airport.
- Questioning arrestees – Those who are arrested for drug trafficking at an airport are generally debriefed by law enforcement in an attempt to further ongoing investigations.
- Collaborating with other agencies – The ADIU works closely with other agencies like Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs Service, and local and federal law enforcement agencies to prevent the movement of narcotics through the airport.
- K-9 units – Specially trained dogs are employed to detect narcotics passing through the airport. The dogs can smell the drugs through luggage, cargo, or on the person of individuals.
What does this mean for your case?
The ADIU has extensive resources dedicated to thwarting drug trafficking in airports. They use aggressive surveillance, investigative tactics, and rely heavily on informants. This presents some difficulty when taking matters to court. The attorneys at Andrew L. Schwartz, P.C. will uncover:
- Violations of your rights – Officers must have a reasonable suspicion or probable cause to stop you. Their methods of investigation must fall in line with state and federal law.
- Search and seizure rules – Law enforcement must follow strict protocols when gathering evidence to ensure that all searches and detentions conform to the Fourth Amendment. Failure to abide by these rules could result in damaging evidence being excluded from your case.
- Reliability of informants – ADIU relies heavily on informants to gather evidence against drug traffickers. This process is subject to legal analysis.
- Surveillance and bodycams – ADIU officers are required to wear body-worn cameras. If video evidence is missing or mishandled, it might help get some evidence tossed.
Talk to a Cobb County Drug Trafficking Lawyer Today
Andrew L. Schwartz, P.C. represents the interests of Cobb County residents who are jammed up on drug charges. Call our Cobb County criminal defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense right away.
