On Nov. 21, a man reportedly crashed into a Wisconsin Rapids establishment and ran away on foot while fleeing police. The Wisconsin Rapids Police Department said that the chase began because they attempted to detain the man for charges of delivering cocaine and heroin, although officials failed to specify why they were targeting him in the first place.

Following the wreck, the man was eventually caught and indicted on a number of drug charges, including possession of cocaine with intent to sell, delivering cocaine and delivering heroin. He also faces charges for attempting to evade capture. Police later searched his home and allegedly discovered 64 grams of crack cocaine and $3,000 in cash.

Although police said that the street value of the seized cocaine was $6,400, they failed to specify how they arrived at this number or clarify whether the substance actually tested positive for cocaine. At the time of reporting, the man remained incarcerated at Wood County Jail. Nobody was hurt in the crash, and it remains unclear whether the actions taken by the police could have contributed to the outcome of the pursuit.

When drug charges are coupled with other criminal allegations, they may be bumped up in severity. Prosecutors may request that judges follow harsher sentencing guidelines, and disparities in the mandatory minimum sentences for specific kinds of drugs could land first-time offenders in prison for a significant amount of time. In addition, police inflation of the street value of drugs seized or the omission of vital details such as the manner in which they were packaged may inaccurately portray the accused as a large-scale trafficker. Criminal defense attorneys who assess these cases may be able to help individuals decide on a course of action to better defend their rights.

Source: WSAW, "UPDATE: Officers Seize $6,400 worth of Cocaine in Drug Bust", November 22, 2013