Washington, D.C. police used a battering ram to smash into a residence where they arrested two men. The men were charged with drug crimes that included possession of crystal methamphetamine. The incident took place in late November and involved almost a dozen police vehicles.

According to a District of Columbia Superior Court complaint, police charged one of the men with unlawful possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. A similar charge was later dropped against the second person.

Police report that they got a tip that drugs were being sold within the residence, which led them to get a search warrant for that same residence.

When the occupants allegedly refused to open the door, the police used the battering ram to gain entry. The filed complaint said authorities found a bag containing over 11 grams of powder that field tested positive for amphetamines. A scale, money orders, and cash in excess of $2,500 were also found at the residence. No information was given as to why the charges were dropped against one of the men.

As one can tell from this drug crimes case, police will sometimes use whatever means necessary to gain entry. While the search and seizure tactics used in this case appear to be legal, a criminal defense attorney may question some of those tactics and may be able to have the charges decreased or dismissed. The residents of the District of Columbia have legal rights and an experienced criminal defense attorney can fight to protect those rights.

Source: Washington Blade, "Gays arrested; police seize crystal meth, cash in Shaw raid," Lou Chibbaro Jr., Nov. 30, 2011