The Kalamazoo Metro SWAT Team, along with local police, raided a Kalamazoo home on Feb. 21 and found drugs and firearms, among other items. In executing a search warrant, authorities found drugs, including 14 baggies of crack cocaine and 27 baggies of marijuana, all packaged for sale.
In addition to the drugs, police found a loaded shotgun and handgun, digital scales and packaging equipment. One person who was at the residence at the time of the raid was arrested. A 60-year-old man now faces drug charges, including possession, intent to deliver and maintaining a drug house. He also faces felony charges for possessing firearms. He is currently awaiting trial at the Kalamazoo County Jail. A 48-year-old woman at the home has not been charged with any crime yet, although authorities intend to seek charges against her.
Drugs that have been divided and organized into baggies and paraphernalia such as digital scales and packaging equipment all point to signs of drug distribution. It is illegal to sell or distribute drugs, including crack cocaine and marijuana. The penalties for these charges vary, according to a person’s previous offenses and the amount and type of drug found on the person. For example, selling a baggie of cocaine and heroin is likely to result in stiffer penalties than selling a baggie of marijuana.
Although most Americans are free to own a gun under the Second Amendment, the Brady Law provides many exceptions. One exception is that those who use illegal drugs are not allowed to own guns under any circumstances. There are also state laws that must be taken into consideration. Each state has its own set of laws, and some are more permissive than others. In Michigan, for instance, anyone with a prior felony cannot own a gun.
Source: Michigan Live, “Police find loaded guns, crack cocaine and marijuana in Trimble Avenue drug raid in Kalamazoo,” Emily Monacelli, Feb. 22, 2013
