Criminal drug charges are complex by their very nature. Legal and scientific elements often combine making them unique. It may require having particular knowledge of both disciplines in order to develop a successful criminal defense strategy for individuals charged with drug-related offenses.

Other circumstances can add layers of complexity that need to be considered. Take for example the recent events surrounding the arrest of three Colorado men related to an alleged drug trafficking and Mexico drug cartel murder-for-hire case in South Texas.

According to court documents made public Monday, federal authorities arrested the men in Laredo, Texas. The records indicate that agents posed as Mexican drug cartel members and that the three Colorado men were among four suspects who had been led to believe they were going to be hired as assassins. Two of the suspects allegedly have ties to the U.S. Army.

In the course of the bust, a Drug Enforcement Administration shot and killed one of the four suspects. The other three were taken into custody. Authorities say the arrests marked the end of a sting operation that started in January 2011.

It was then that undercover investigators say they were put in touch with a Colorado Springs man who would be able to sell them illegal automatic weapons and sniper rifles. They say that upon meeting with the man he told them he was an Army officer who could also supply them with a murder-for-hire team that would help them raid a rival cartel and recover stolen cocaine in return for cash and drugs.

The formal complaint says the agents struck a deal with the suspect and that it all came to a head last Saturday in Laredo. Orders were given to arrest the four men, but the complaint says that before that action could be completed, one agent shot and killed one of the men.

The three other men were taken into custody and are reportedly being held in Laredo pending a federal detention hearing on drug conspiracy and weapons charges.

Source: Reuters, "Federal agents kill man in phony murder-for-hire plot," Jared Taylor, March 27, 2012