A Santa Clarita man was caught with 88 pounds of meth, kicked his way out of a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s patrol car, ran across a freeway and evaded arrest for more than a day before being arrested on Thursday.

The suspect’s car was stopped on Interstate 5 in Santa Clarita Valley when Sheriff’s Deputies discovered the large quantity of meth.  After being arrested and placed in the back of the patrol car, the suspect kicked out the rear window and ran across the freeway.  He was eventually spotted walking in the area and found hiding in an empty water tank.

If you have been arrested for a drug-related crime, it is important to hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.  Having representation at the earliest stage in the case can help prevent damaging statements from being made to law enforcement and, in certain situations, lead to the reduction in charges actually filed or even a dismissal.

If you have been arrested in Los Angeles or the San Fernando Valley for possession for sale of a controlled substance, sale or transportation of a controlled substance or manufacturing drugs and narcotics, contact attorney Ross Erlich today for a free case consultation and evaluation.  Keep in mind that many drug-related felonies are punishable by time in the California State Prison system.  Attorney Ross Erlich will be able to contact the law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over your case before your court date and get information about the investigation.

A key tool used by law enforcement in drug-related arrests is the use and reliance on confidential informants, anonymous tips or other questionable sources of probable cause to obtain search warrants.  Because of questionable reliability of these sources, there are, often times, the need for criminal defense attorneys to file suppression motions in court attacking the constitutionality of the search based on the lack of probable cause.  If theses motions are granted, typically that means that the search, and therefore the drugs, must be suppressed from the prosecutor’s case and this often means a dismissal based on their inability to proceed.  These motions must take into account the source of tip or information, the procedures used by law enforcement, how they made an arrest.

There are many other factors to consider when dealing with a drug-related offense and it is important to make sure that law enforcement has done their job correctly and according to the laws on the books.  Drug diversion, or treatment options are available alternatives to jail or prison time in the right circumstances and with the right lawyer.

If you have been charged in Los Angeles with drug possession, possession for sale, drug transportation, drug manufacturing or any other drug offense, contact our office 24/7 for a consultation.  Drug crimes are heard in the downtown Criminal Courts Building (CCB), Airport Court, Pasadena Court, San Fernando Court, Van Nuys Court and the East Los Angeles Court.