Delaware Man Arrested on Drug Charges After Abandoning More Than 2,000 Bags of Heroin

A Lincoln, Delaware resident was arrested on drug charges Tuesday, December 24th, after he abandoned more than 2,000 bags of heroin in a parking lot just before a traffic stop.

According to Delaware police records, the incident began just after 9 PM when a state trooper saw a Cadillac Seville turn right on a street without a turn signal. The trooper drove behind the man and activated his lights to pull the car over. However, rather than stopping for the police lights, the car turned right again, into an empty parking lot nearby. As the police officer drove closer, the Cadillac drove away at high speed, but the trooper blocked the parking lot’s exit.

The driver, Ronald R. Hester, 35, was taken into custody.

After police detained Hester, more officers arrived to search the area of the parking lot, where they found two plastic grocery bags. One contained 34.38 grams of heroin, in 2,292 baggies. The other contained 119 grams of marijuana.

Police searched Hester’s vehicle, and discovered an additional 46 grams of marijuana, and more than $2,300. Officers also searched Hester, and found $1,977 in his pocket.

Hester was taken to jail on drug charges, including possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as failure to signal a lane change, and driving at an unreasonable speed.

His bail was set to $65,802.

Drug Trafficking Charges in South Carolina: Cocaine, Marijuana, Heroin

Defendants facing drug penalties in South Carolina can be punished with a monetary fine and mandatory minimum sentences of up to life in prison with no chance of parole, depending on:

•       the amount of drugs involved

•       whether the case is brought in state or federal district court, and

•       how many prior drug offenses a defendant has.

Trafficking charges are based upon the weight of the drug you are in possession of:

•       Ten grams of cocaine

•       Four grams of heroin

•       Ten pounds of marijuana

Penalties for drug trafficking can include a minimum sentencing of 25 years. Trafficking and distribution offenses are considered violent, no-parole offenses and a conviction can certainly have you serving the full time you are sentenced to.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Drug Charges

Drug charges, including methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or prescription drugs, need to be examined from every angle, and in many cases are subject to mandatory minimum sentences. Aggressive representation can protect your future. Drug crime charges and drug busts in South Carolina are very serious. The drug possession and drug trafficking lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC,  include a former United States Attorney and Richland County Assistant Solicitor, a former Public Defender, and a former Assistant Attorney General and Richland County Assistant Solicitor. Mr. Strom has been given an AV-Rating, the highest ranking possible, from the respected legal guide Martindale-Hubble. If you have been charged with possession, trafficking, or manufacturing drugs, the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today by calling (803)252-4800.