State Patrol increases drug arrests in Wisconsin

 Posted on March 12, 2018 in Drug Charges

The Wisconsin State Patrol reports a noteworthy increase in drugged driving during 2016 and 2017. The State Patrol says there has been a 20 percent increase in drug-related arrests over this period of time. In 2016, the State Patrol carried out 2,900 drug arrests and, in 2017, it carried out 3,400.

As for drugged driving arrests, the State Patrol has also seen an increase, having arrested 310 allegedly drugged drivers in 2016 and 390 more in 2017. Authorities say that the increase in arrests has a lot to do with two factors — the better training of officers in detecting and identifying drivers who are high on drugs and the legalization of marijuana in various neighboring states. For example, Michigan, Ohio and Minnesota have all loosened their marijuana laws, resulting in more people gaining access to the drug legally.

According to a representative of the Wisconsin State Patrol, "...marijuana is bound to be moved through the state, and our officers are starting to see more of that." He also said that he believes "...there's a rise in drug arrests based on the fact that marijuana has been legalized in some of these states and we're seeing it being transported to and from through Wisconsin."

Last year, 100-plus patrol officers received training in advanced highway criminal interdiction.

If you were arrested and accused of drugged driving, or if you were arrested and accused of a drug crime by the Wisconsin State Patrol, legal options are available to help you improve your situation. Indeed, no one will be found guilty or punished of any crime until — and only if — they are found guilty in court.

Source: U.S. News & World Report, "Wisconsin State Patrol Making More Drug Arrests," Associated Press, March 22, 2018