One of the main reasons that the authorities treat certain criminal activities with such severity is that many crimes beget other criminal activity. For example, many states impose harsh laws on cocaine and heroin not only because of the dangers posed by the drugs themselves but also because of the dangers that are caused by individuals seeking the drugs. Drug crimes are arguably chief among the crimes most likely to beget more crime, with many drug lords being responsible for other violent crimes such as homicide or sexual assault.
A case that recently occurred in Florida demonstrated this in perhaps the most alarming way possible: a man was allegedly killed over 10 dollars. According to authorities, two men were seen arguing over a marijuana debt in late August. Just recently, one of the men was killed, and the other, a 17-year-old, has been charged. The teen is facing first-degree murder charges, accused of shooting the victim and attempting to dispose of his body in a lake.
Reports are unavailable regarding exactly which party owed the 10 dollars, but police seem certain that one man owed the sum to the other over a drug exchange, and that now the elder victim has been killed. With this in mind, it is understandable that police are so zealous in their quest to apprehend individuals who are allegedly engaged in drug crimes, but it is also important to remember that accused individuals are innocent until proven guilty.
In instances in which someone is killed over drug crimes, police will devote a great deal of effort into convicting someone for the crime. If you find yourself accused of a drug crime or homicide, it is imperative that you take legal action in your defense in order to establish your innocence. Police tend to be thorough in their investigations, but sometimes legal expertise can help you prove your innocence with evidence or information that you did not even consider important.
Source: Naples Daily News, “17-year-old charged with killing Florida man over $10 drug debt,” Sept. 28, 2015
