South Carolina Man Purchased Marijuana from Colorado, Arrested on Drug Charges
A man from Mount Pleasant was arrested after a Charleston County Sheriff’s detective intercepted a package filled with marijuana and hashish at a shipping center.
Reportedly, the officer was inspecting inbound parcels at a commercial mailing and shipping center on the morning of Thursday, August 15th, when he found a suspicious package. He obtained a search warrant to open the package, and discovered about a half-pound of marijuana in a vacuum-sealed bag. There was also a small silver tin with more than 10 grams of hashish.
The package was addressed to a Jared Small, which officers later discovered was a fake name. The detective resealed the marijuana package and contacted a Mount Pleasant detective to set up a sting.
Both Charleston County and Mount Pleasant detectives made a “controlled delivery” of the marijuana shipment to the shipping address to find out who ordered the drug. According to police reports, at around 3 PM, Maxwell Blank, 22 years old, took the package from an undercover agent and signed for it. Blank took the marijuana and walked around the outside of his home, but officers lost sight of Blank so they obtained a search warrant. When they executed the warrant, no one was inside the home.
A short time later, officers apprehended Blank and two teens in the parking lot of the nearby Sullivan’s Island Elementary School. Reportedly, Blank confessed immediately to ordering the marijuana and hashish from Colorado, where recreational marijuana use is legal. He was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute both marijuana and hashish within proximity of a school, and possession with intent to distribute hashish.
He was taken to the Charleston County Detention Center, and was later issued a $40,000 bond on the charges. As of Wednesday, August 21st, he is still behind bars.
The two teens were reportedly questioned by police about the marijuana, and let go.
Marijuana Possession and Other Drug Crimes in South Carolina
Although some states have legalized marijuana use, whether it is for recreational or medical purposes, South Carolina has not legalized marijuana possession or use in any form. Even having a small amount of marijuana near you or around you can be considered a crime in the state, which has some of the harshest drug laws in the country.
Any amount of marijuana seized over one ounce is considered marijuana possession with intent to distribute. Marijuana distribution charges carry mandatory prison sentences and hefty fines.
To convict you for possession with the intent to distribute or sell drugs in South Carolina, the prosecution must prove that you had possession of a specific quantity of drugs. You may also be charged with drug distribution if the drugs even appeared to be packaged for distribution.
Under South Carolina law, the following amounts are sufficient to be charged with possession with the intent to distribute drugs:
- Marijuana: one or more ounces
- Crack Cocaine: one or more grams
- Heroin: two grains
- Cocaine: one or more grams
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Marijuana Possession or Other Drug Charges in South Carolina
If have been charged will marijuana possession or any other drug crime, call the Strom Law Firm, LLC today to see how we can help. With knowledge and experience in both state and federal courts, we will fight aggressively to clear your name. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. 803.252.4800.
