A St. Louis police officer was recently charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute.

Pretending to act in his official capacity as a police officer, the defendant went to package companies (such as UPS) to look for "suspicious packages." He sent some of those packages to the police department. Others, he sent home.

The defendant is a supervisory sergeant with the Central Patrol Division's Special Operations Group. His responsibilities involve investigating illegal drug sales, but they do not include looking for drug packages at UPS or FedEx. He has since been suspended. According to his attorney, he plans to plead not guilty to the drug charges.

The defendant's brother has also been charged with two felony marijuana counts for helping his brother obtain and sell the drugs.

As this case shows, anyone can be charged with St. Louis drug crimes, not just what the police consider the "common criminal." The two charges that the police officer and his brother face are felony charges, carrying large penalties.

In Missouri, marijuana possession alone can land someone in prison for life (for possession of 100 kg or more). He or she may also face up to $20,000 in fines. The greater the amount of marijuana, the more likely a person is to be charged with possession with intent to distribute, or drug trafficking.

Furthermore, prosecutors may charge a defendant with conspiracy if he or she was part of an agreement to commit a crime and he or she performed at least one act in furtherance of that crime. Conviction for conspiracy can lead to the same penalties as those prescribed for the actual offense.

Depending on the facts of a particular drug crimes case, there are many defenses to drug and conspiracy charges. If you face drug charges, speak with an experienced drug crimes defense lawyer.

Source: Stltoday.com, "St. Louis police officer and brother indicted in drug conspiracy," Robert Patrick, Jan. 19, 2012.