Seven people, including a man the Commonwealth believes has a history of drug offenses, were recently arraigned in Framingham District Court on charges they were buying and selling heroin and cocaine, The MetroWest Daily News reports.

Drug charges in Framingham and throughout Massachusetts are serious crimes that can subject defendants to penalties that can range from months in jail to years in prison.

Quickly hiring an experienced and aggressive Framingham Drug Defense Attorney is the best strategy to combat the charges and protect a defendant’s rights.

According to the story, prosecutors say detectives followed Luis Hernandez, 41, of Natick and saw him complete what they believed was a drug deal in the parking lot of his apartment with co-defendant Gina Stucchi, 32. In the car with Stucchi were co-defendants Jennifer Mackey, 36, and Maria Woods, 35.

When detectives followed the vehicle, they allegedly found the three people in the car, about to inject themselves with cocaine. One of the defendants told police they had just purchased cocaine from Hernandez.

Police then followed Hernandez, who was riding in an SUV containing his roommate Geraldine Martinez and Alisha Conti, 24. They dropped Conti off at Lowe’s in Framingham and after Hernandez sold drugs to an unknown man in Natick, the vehicle returned to Lowe’s, where Hernandez met another co-defendant, William Roberts, 47, of Natick.

Police say they witnessed another drug deal and when they approached to make an arrest; they said they saw Hernandez swallow what appeared to be a plastic bag of cocaine.

Martinez allegedly admitted there were drugs in the car and told police Hernandez kept drugs in a safe in their apartment. Conti allegedly told police she got heroin from Hernandez. Police searched the safe and found heroin, cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

• Hernandez was charged with distributing heroin, possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, conspiring to violate the state’s drug laws and resisting arrest.
• Martinez was charged with possessing heroin with intent to distribute, possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, distributing cocaine and conspiring to violate drug laws.
• Stucchi, of 107 Concord St., Holliston, was charged with distributing cocaine (subsequent offense) and conspiring to violate state drug laws.
• Woods, of 260 Union Ave., Framingham, was charged with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, possessing cocaine, intimidating a witness, providing police with a false name and conspiring to violate drug laws.
• Roberts, of 3 Lake St., Natick, was charged with possessing heroin, resisting arrest and conspiring to violate drug laws.
• Mackey, of 28 Dana Road, Framingham, was charged with distributing cocaine and conspiring to violate drug laws.
• Conti, of 31 McAlee Ave., Framingham, was charged with possessing heroin.

This case will likely come down to police observations, if they were well-documented, as well as the statements of the co-defendants. First off, the defendants would have been better off had they not talked to police. Providing a statement to police is dangerous because it can be used against the defendant in court and it almost always hurts them.

In these cases, it is sometimes possible to refute the charges if a person is simply inside a vehicle at the time of an arrest. But admitting fault to an officer will have a negative effect on the probability of winning a case.

There are times when a statement and other evidence in drug cases can be tossed out. So, consult with an experienced Framingham Criminal Defense Attorney before doing anything else. Reviewing your case and being by your side from the beginning gives the best chance at a positive resolution.

If you are facing criminal charges and require a Massachusetts criminal defense attorney, call to discuss your case at 508-455-4755 or 781-686-5924. You may also email through this website or directly at mdelsign@gmail.com.

Additional Resources:

Framingham Drug Suspects Arraigned, by Norman Miller, The MetroWest Daily News
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