According to a recent DEA assessment, methamphetamine is the most heavily used and commonly available clandestinely manufactured illegal drug in southern New Jersey. Some believe that what makes the drug so incredibly insidious is the ease with which manufacturers are able to cook it up. Most recently, two New Jersey men were arrested for turning an SUV into a meth lab on wheels.
Indeed, when the vehicle was searched, police not only found meth, but they also found the tools of the trade necessary to create this poisonous concoction. The men were apparently relying on a simplified pocket lab process that requires little more than a soda bottle and the toxic household substances used to synthesize meth. These men were lucky to only get arrested, as many meth makers who use these small-scale manufacturing methods end up with severe burns when the kits explode in their faces.
New Jersey law comes down hard on meth possession
New Jersey law generally classifies meth possession as a third-degree crime eligible for the following penalties:
- Up to five years in prison
- Fines of up to $15,000
There is also a provision in the law for enhanced penalties, such as mandatory community service for those not sentenced to imprisonment and possessing meth within the statutorily defined 1,000-foot school zone.
Even being under the influence of meth is illegal
In New Jersey, possessing meth is certainly illegal, but even being under the influence of the substance is an offense. The prosecution does not need to prove that an individual was actually under the influence of meth, provided physical and psychological symptoms are manifested. This offense is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Drug charges of any sort are no laughing matter. The key to starting anew is facing legal problems head-on with the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Call Hoffman DiMuzio to speak with one today.