May.25, 2010

New Jersey pulled out all the stops working with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency to capture Alejandro Cleves, the alleged drug trafficker charged with operation of a criminal enterprise that imported 250 kilos of heroin into the U.S. from Colombia annually. The street value of the heroin Cleves' operation is said to have supplied is reported to be $250 million.

In tracking down Cleves, who authorities say fled to Colombia in 2003 to avoid prosecution, the DEA and Union County prosecutors expended massive resources. The centerpiece of the enforcement effort was the largest wiretap operation ever undertaken in the county. The wiretaps alone involved round-the-clock monitoring of 54 telephones. Raids, financial analyses and stake-outs were supplemented with face-to-face meetings with Colombian officials to coordinate efforts at stopping the international flow of drugs and obtain cooperation in arresting Cleves. The Colombian officials ultimately did arrest and extradite Cleves to stand trial in Union County.

Twenty-one other alleged drug dealers were brought down in the operation that led to Cleves' arrest. Authorities are holding Cleves on a $3 million bond pending trial, while the alleged co-conspirators have all been convicted with sentences ranging up to 24 years.

The indictment is expansive, including racketeering, money laundering and conspiracy counts, as well as charges of operating a drug network and distributing drugs.

With the complexity of the charges and with evidence spanning two continents, Cleves' legal defense will likely be fraught with complications, as are many major drug cases.

Racketeering is a specialized area of law imposing extensive consequences, including property confiscation. A criminal defense attorney experienced in handling complicated drug cases is expected to know the intricacies of the laws related to racketeering, drug trafficking, conspiracy and money laundering, as well as the particulars of their application in comparable cases.

A skilled criminal defense attorney will likely have established relationships within the legal community that allow the tailoring of a defense to the particular judge hearing the case if the case goes to trial. Determining what evidence is likely to be admitted and under what conditions is one important foundation of trying any criminal case. But a criminal defense attorney trying a high-profile drug case with racketeering and money laundering elements often must operate in a hostile environment with unwilling witnesses, negative publicity, and a prosecution heavily invested in the fruits of a long, expensive investigation. Choosing an effective, focused strategy is important in such cases, as the racketeering charges may tie up funds that would otherwise be available to pay for the criminal defense.

Many cases are resolved with plea bargains, and a criminal attorney who can balance zealous negotiation of a plea agreement with realistic expectations as to the prosecution's limits can help a drug defendant determine whether a plea agreement is in his or her best interests.

If you or someone you love has been charged with a drug crime, contact an experienced criminal attorney. A lawyer experienced in handling criminal matters can provide you with the information you need to protect your rights.