Many drug possession cases arise out of traffic stops. Police pull over a driver for speeding, running a stop sign, or perhaps something as simple as a malfunctioning tail light. The officers then use the opportunity to search the driver’s person and vehicle for illegal drugs.
Louisiana rapper, Boosie Badazz, whose legal name is Torrence Hatch Jr., is facing drug and firearm charges following a traffic stop in Newnan, Georgia.
Hatch was driving a rental vehicle with his bodyguard, former NFL player Antonio Allen, in the passenger’s seat, when he was stopped by police for allegedly driving erratically. The officer pulled the vehicle over and reportedly smelled marijuana. The officer arrested Hatch and put him in the police car, while Allen stayed inside the rental vehicle.
The officer proceeded to search the vehicle and reportedly found 11 grams of marijuana in a bag, a bag of cash, and a vape pen with suspected THC oil, as well as a loaded 9mm handgun.
Hatch and Allen are facing drug charges and other criminal charges for marijuana possession, possession of a schedule one narcotic, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Hatch is also facing charges for failing to maintain his lane and talking on the phone while driving, which is considered a misdemeanor in many states, including Georgia.
Many people facing criminal charges are arrested during routine traffic stops. However, police officers sometimes conduct illegal searches of a vehicle. To find out if your rights were violated during a traffic stop, you can speak to a criminal defense attorney in your area.
