I'm being investigated by the DEA...

L

Longshot

New member
This has the makings of a FUD file.

I work at a medical supply company. I work in a secure area of the building that houses class 2 through class 5 drugs (Marinol, Cocaine, Morphine, etc). There are about 20 people in the company, from the top boss to the maintenance man, that have unrestricted or escorted access to this area.

Two containers of cocaine, with a street value of $32,000 are missing. Inventory mistakes and shipping errors have been ruled out, so there is a high probability that one of the persons with access took them. The DEA has already given a urinalysis to everyone on the list, and will now begin to interview us all individually.

Here's where I need advice. I intend to cooperate fully, but I am one of three people who is probably most suspect because we have been with the company less than two years vs. the others who have an average of 10+ years behind them. The results of the UA aren't in, and I'm hoping that somebody will pop, confess and make this all go away.

But, if they don't, I don't think I'm paranoid in expecting a search warrant to be issued so the DEA can rip apart my house, vehicles, etc.

Oh, for those who don't remember, I'm in the final stages of my background investigation for a Correction Officer position. This is GREAT timing :mad:

The question: I know that because of the war on drugs the authorities have broad authority to confiscate whatever they want, including guns I'm sure. Do any attorneys, LEO's, or TFL'rs familiar with this situation have any suggestions? Two of my firearms are registered with the state as a part of the purchase process, and I don't want to be without them for whatever length of time the DEA might possibly keep them. Conversely, I don't want to "hide" them at somebody's house until this is over if it will create a red flag. Also, any ancillary advice relating to this upcoming nightmare would be greatly appreciated. I guess a polygraph is part of the fun, plus whatever else they do to innocent citizens.

Oh yes, I am definitely innocent by the way.

Thanks in advance,

Longshot

------------------
NRA/GOA/SAF/USMC

Oregon residents please support the Oregon Firearms Federation, our only "No compromise" gun lobby. http://www.oregonfirearms.org
 
Does your state have a firearms registration?
Can you legally sell your firearms to someone in a private sale tomorrow, without going through the "registration process?"

Can you buy them back from someone after this is all over? Again, without the "registration process?"

If the "registration" you're talking about is just the '4473' you filled out when you bought these firearms, don't worry, by law, they're not allowed to keep those records. :rolleyes:
 
I believe I'd cough up some dough and have a lawyer with me during all questioning. Some might argue this tends to make you "look guilty" but it just seems the way to go. Odds are you already "look guilty" to them, so you should at least have a legal professional with you to keep you from putting your foot in your mouth.

------------------
"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Luke 22:36
"An armed society is a polite society."
Robert Heinlein
"Power corrupts. Absolute power - is kinda cool!"
Fred Reed
 
Dude.. I would "discretely reposition" items that I deem too important to be confiscated. As to what those items are.. well.. you know. ;)

Oh, and I'm with mk86-soemthing :D,
I'd get a lawyer for sure.. No matter the costs.. having a lawyer present is invalueable!

------------------
God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
 
Longshot
I would think about my finances, they will be VERY suspicious of someone with new found money or big debt or cash transactions! If nothing else cracks in this case that would be a prime motivation factor they will consider!

Just my 2 cents
Unforgiven
PS. also expect seizure of your puter if things get bad!
 
The idea that it is "the new guy" is stereotyping ang profiling. One of the old people is more likely because they "have it all figured out".
Guess thats profiling too?

------------------
You have to be there when it's all over. Otherwise you can't say "I told you so."

Better days to be,

Ed
 
Get a Lawyer, and start making lists and photo records of everything you own (a good idea anyway.)

Pay the lawyer to hold onto you inventory list and photos until this blows over.

Co-operate, but don't volunteer any information.

Like Unforgiven said, don't have lots of cash around. The feds don't like that at all.

Good luck.



------------------
~USP

"[Even if there would be] few tears shed if and when the Second Amendment is held to guarantee nothing more than the state National Guard, this would simply show that the Founders were right when they feared that some future generation might wish to abandon liberties that they considered essential, and so sought to protect those liberties in a Bill of Rights. We may tolerate the abridgement of property rights and the elimination of a right to bear arms; but we should not pretend that these are not reductions of rights." -- Justice Scalia 1998
 
Don't hesitate! Get a good lawyer. The DEA has been known to use the RICO laws to confiscate the property of people they are after, things like their houses, cars and other personal property.
 
The advice about getting a Lawyer is sound. Do not let any gov't agent question you without a lawyer present. These agents are pros, and will extract confessions out of people. Don't worry about looking guilty because a lawyer is present, you have a right to legal representation, they haven't taken that part of the Bill of Rights away just yet!

If they come in and rip your house apart, have a friend ready to come by and videotape the damage after they are through. Also get the names of every agent involved, they cannot refuse to give this information to you. Request to tape record every meeting with them, videotape if possible.

Govt agents and cops will screw up and you need to get it on tape, remember Rodney King and the recent incidents with beatings.

Again, get a good Lawyer, find out which attorney has the worst rep with the local police and hire him, he probably knows what he is doing.

You have rights, use them, if you are innocent you should have nothing to fear.


Geoff Ross
 
Lawyers, inventories, video tapes, recordings. Ain't it great living in the land of the free and the home of the brave?

I would add to the recommendation that you establish two relationships. First, make sure at least one of your elected federal representatives know what's happening and keep them updated. Keep meticulous records of times, dates, events, etc. Second, find a sympathetic media outlet (yea, I know) and keep them in the loop.

Good luck and keep us all updated.
 
Here's my advice.

1. Get a lawyer. Be totally truthful with him.

2. Cooperate with the DEA and answer all questions pertaining to this incident truthfully.

3. If you are charged and your property seized, be advised that if you sell off items, the feds can require you to inform them (under oath and penalty of perjury) whom you sold them to. They can them get them back by arguing that it's a fraudulent transaction. Remember: confiscation is a civil proceeding and there is no privilege to remain silent. Don't you love our system?

If you are innocent, don't let the situation or them sweat it. My brother-in-law went through this crap with the US Attorney's office who was investigating medicare fraud at the clinic he did his residency at. It was a true witchhunt (Medicare taskforces actually do have quotas. If they don't bring in a certain amount, they don't get funded). My advise to him was the same as to you: cooperate, but with legal counsel.

However, don't start every conversation with "you'll have to speak to my attorney." That is a sign of guilt in their eyes. Only bring the lawyer into play IF you are considered a suspect. How do you know that? You ask. They have to tell you if you are a target of the investigation.
 
A jackal goes after the weakest of the herd.

You bringing your lawyer show to the DEA that you are strong and won't be pushed. Get a criminal attorney now. And make sure he is experienced with the DEA.

We may have to to a TFL .50BMG Rifle Raffle Legal Defense Fund for you. ;)

Rick
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TheBluesMan:
Does your state have a firearms registration?
Can you legally sell your firearms to someone in a private sale tomorrow, without going through the "registration process?"

Can you buy them back from someone after this is all over? Again, without the "registration process?"

If the "registration" you're talking about is just the '4473' you filled out when you bought these firearms, don't worry, by law, they're not allowed to keep those records. :rolleyes:[/quote]

We use a state background check when purchasing from a dealer, and those transactions are recorded for five years.

Private transactions are not regulated, but God knows the anti's are pushing for that.

I'm going to talk to a lawyer to get advice on how to avoid getting shafted. I am a little scared. I've heard so many horror stories about this kind of thing, and I just want to get it over with.

I hope they don't check my voter registration (Libertarian) :eek:, my vote is a threat to their job security.

------------------
NRA/GOA/SAF/USMC

Oregon residents please support the Oregon Firearms Federation, our only "No compromise" gun lobby. http://www.oregonfirearms.org

[This message has been edited by Longshot (edited September 15, 2000).]
 
I am a lawyer.

Do exactly what Buzz Knox said. Follow your lawyer's advice. Get one now. Try to find an ex-DA or ex-US attorney to represent you. Do it now.

Regards,

Ledbetter, ESQ.
 
You can never go wrong being totally honest and truthful with a lawyer present. This is probably a good thing to experience before you become a prison guard. You will have the experience from the other side(being a suspect)and being questioned.

ordo
 
You may already be under surveillance, so be discrete about relocating some of your more prized possessions.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Longshot:
This has the makings of a FUD file.

I work at a medical supply company. I work in a secure area of the building that houses class 2 through class 5 drugs (Marinol, Cocaine, Morphine, etc). There are about 20 people in the company, from the top boss to the maintenance man, that have unrestricted or escorted access to this area.

Two containers of cocaine, with a street value of $32,000 are missing. Inventory mistakes and shipping errors have been ruled out, so there is a high probability that one of the persons with access took them. The DEA has already given a urinalysis to everyone on the list, and will now begin to interview us all individually.

Here's where I need advice. I intend to cooperate fully, but I am one of three people who is probably most suspect because we have been with the company less than two years vs. the others who have an average of 10+ years behind them. The results of the UA aren't in, and I'm hoping that somebody will pop, confess and make this all go away.

But, if they don't, I don't think I'm paranoid in expecting a search warrant to be issued so the DEA can rip apart my house, vehicles, etc.

Oh, for those who don't remember, I'm in the final stages of my background investigation for a Correction Officer position. This is GREAT timing :mad:

The question: I know that because of the war on drugs the authorities have broad authority to confiscate whatever they want, including guns I'm sure. Do any attorneys, LEO's, or TFL'rs familiar with this situation have any suggestions? Two of my firearms are registered with the state as a part of the purchase process, and I don't want to be without them for whatever length of time the DEA might possibly keep them. Conversely, I don't want to "hide" them at somebody's house until this is over if it will create a red flag. Also, any ancillary advice relating to this upcoming nightmare would be greatly appreciated. I guess a polygraph is part of the fun, plus whatever else they do to innocent citizens.

Oh yes, I am definitely innocent by the way.

Thanks in advance,

Longshot

[/quote]Just remember this...the DEA assumes you are QUILTY until they "clear" you. That is how it works. They go down the list of suspects and they clear each one of them until they have a short list of things that they question. From this short list they intensify their investigations. It is simply of proccess of elimination and they are very good at it.

So remember , basically you are quilty until they prove you innocent. What you do or say will etheir help them or hinder them.

That is the way it works. A lawyer trained in tactics of the DEA is the one you need. He will run interferance for you and could save you a bunch of heartache. The fact that you even hire a lawyer will make you more of a suspect in this matter, as they take the position of <why would an innocent man need a laywer ?>

This is the way the game is played.
 
I agree with the above posters. And here's another bit of advice.

DON'T FORGET YOUR HARD DRIVE. Any Search Warrant regarding illegal narcotics, these days, will include your hard drive.
The DEA boys play hard ball.

FWIW, and the Best of luck to you. J.B.
 
Just spread the guns out at friends houses. My guns are spread out over 5 states. If they come take them and won't give them back I have sufficient firepower to go TAKE them back or at least make a strong statement in the process.
 
If you have any personal stuff on the putter take it off and wipe free space in the defrag section 2 or 3 times. Good luck, the DEA are a bunch of POS JBT's. They used to sell all the drugs here in polk county for a long time they were so corrupt.
 
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