BC Powder is supposed to cure headaches, but four men who allegedly passed it off as cocaine created some major headaches for themselves.
The Commerce Police Department charged the men with trafficking cocaine, selling cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of tools for the commission of a crime — even though there was no cocaine.
“They were basically just trying to rip a confidential informant off,” explained Chad Knight, head of the department’s Criminal Investigations Division. He said the “cocaine” appeared to be BC Powder.
Police used an informant to buy $100 worth of “powdered cocaine” Thursday at a location on Madison Street. Later that day, they made an arrangement to buy an ounce of cocaine from the same group, this time for $900.
They busted the group prior to the second sale. Again, the "cocaine" appears to be BC Powder, Knight said.
The suspects are Joe T. Hardy, 19, 2581 Jackson Trail Road, Hoschton; Justin R. Hyde-Cervantes, 20, 139 Clyde Short Road, Nicholson; Klint Allen Kesler, 17, 59 Blue Jay Court, Nicholson; and Brandon Dean Reineman, 20, 4735 Hwy. 334, Commerce.
According to Knight, the department has recorded conversations with the suspects discussing price and arrangements. Under Georgia law, he said, whether the actual substance turns out to be a narcotic or not, the charge — and punishment — are the same.
Why is it that no matter what the situation or the article there is always somebody who has to submit smart remarks trying to make themselves sound so intelligent but only makes them look like instegators. If you are truly a lawman you would not question your co-workers in an attempt to degrade them on an arrest. You also would not make bold statements without all of the facts unless you are a rookie or someone with one years experience several times.
There are specific crimes for passing off "flex" as a controlled substance. There are also crimes for using a telecommunications device to set up a drug transaction but they weren't charged with that for some reason.
The statement of the officer that "Under Georgia law whether the actual substance turns out to be a narcotic or not, the charge — and punishment — are the same" is simply not true. For instance, trafficking in cocaine carries a minimum of ten years in prison. Distributing "flex" is a misdemeanor. Twelve months in jail max. That is what I take issue with. Not with the fact they arrested them.
I'm not degrading the arrest, but if a cop wants to be a media hound, he ought to know what he is talking about first before he looks foolish or incompetent.
If those are his statements, then he is wrong. Period. We'll see in a few months what the DA does.
If an officer doesn't want his mistakes pointed out in a forum like this, then he either needs to know what he is talking about before he releases this information or not talk to the media.
Show me one case where someone has been successfully prosecuted for trafficking, sale or possession of cocaine with a NEGATIVE crime lab report and I'll eat my words.