In certain situations, local law enforcement authorities in North Dakota work with other agencies to conduct raids on suspected drug locations. Sometimes, authorities may have reason to believe there are multiple suspects at a location, and they typically assess the risk of serving a warrant and rely on specialized forces to aid in the initiative. Such was the case with a recent drug bust in Fargo, and the incident led to a standoff with authorities, including the SWAT team.
The standoff and arrests
Around 6 a.m. on July 26, Fargo Police, the Cass County Drug Task Force and the SWAT team descended on a house in Fargo to serve what was described as a high-risk search warrant. The incident occurred in the 900 block of 5th South Street, and at first authorities say they tried to use flash-bang devices to get people to exit the residence. Apparently, no one emerged from the home, and authorities reportedly surrounded the house and secured a perimeter.
It was reported that the occupants of the house surrendered and emerged from the home after close to an hour. Police detained nine people and arrested four others. The accused range in age from 33 to 45, and each faces charges for a variety of drug-related offenses, felony domestic assault and other charges.
Criminal defense
All of the charges against the individuals are serious, and some are felonies. The report did not state why authorities suspected the individuals of illegal drug activity or why they secured a high-risk warrant. By working with an experienced criminal defense attorney in North Dakota, the accused individuals can gain a full understanding of their respective rights about the raid as well as their options for defending against the formal charges. A lawyer will work to help his or her clients obtain the best possible outcome, considering the circumstances and evidence.
