Author Archives: David R. Eshelman
Federal, State Authorities Ramp Up Fentanyl Enforcement
Both federal and Pennsylvania state law enforcement officials are more aggressively prosecuting drug crimes involving fentanyl, even going so far as to use statutes that had rarely been cited over the past few decades. In some cases, they are treating overdose deaths as homicides and are seizing larger quantities of the drugs and issuing conspiracy […]
Youngstown Area Residents Face Federal Drug Charges
Several people from the Youngstown area face federal drug charges for their reported involvement in a distribution ring for heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl. Those illegal drugs likely made their way through Youngstown, Girard, Farrell and other nearby towns. Law enforcement officials charged the following people with 39 total counts in an indictment that […]
Police Shut Down Pennsylvania ‘Pill Mill’
A combination of state and local law enforcement officers recently busted a prescription drug ring operating in York County and other locations throughout Pennsylvania. According to a news release from the state attorney general’s office, the so-called “pill mill” was run by a 37-year-old woman who was charged along with nine other people. The suspects […]
What to Know About Drug Manufacturing Laws
Manufacturing of any controlled substance is strictly prohibited under federal law unless you have the proper licensing from state and/or federal authorities. While these laws most commonly arise in cases involving growth of marijuana or the cooking of methamphetamine, they can apply to any manufacturing case involving a controlled substance. Under the law, drug manufacturing […]
New Study: Tougher Drug Laws Don’t Lead to Fewer Overdose Deaths
A recent study conducted by Pew Charitable Trusts’ Public Safety Performance Project found that harsher drug laws that put more people in jail do not help reduce overdose deaths or general drug use. These findings come in the immediate aftermath of President Donald J. Trump calling for harsher sentences for drug offenders, including the death […]
An Overview of Pennsylvania’s Open Container Laws
Open container laws are common throughout the United States. Their purpose is to prohibit the possession or consumption of any alcoholic beverages in open containers in passenger compartments of vehicles — even for people who are not driving the vehicle. Open container laws do not typically apply to any vehicles located on private property. They […]
Death Penalty for Certain Drug Dealers? A Solution Suggested by the President
President Donald J. Trump has taken a hands-on approach to combating the opioid crisis in America, and at a recent rally revealed his latest idea for resolving the problem: the death penalty. Trump said he was inspired by his visit to China, which has the death penalty for certain drug crime offenders. His plans for […]
Police Bust Up Drug Trafficking Ring in Reading
Fifteen people were recently arrested for their role in operating an alleged drug trafficking organization that police say was responsible for selling $20 million worth of drugs throughout Berks County over the last year. District Attorney John Adams announced the results of “Operation Shattered,” which involved partnerships with local and state police in addition to […]
