When March 1 began, Alex Collins was a member of the Baltimore Ravens. However, before the day was over, he was waived from the team for facing drug and gun charges.
According to media reports, the 24-year-old was driving his black Corvette on the 10000 block of Dolfield Boulevard around 4:30 a.m. when he smashed into a tree. The crash was reported to police by a passerby at around 6:48 a.m. When officers arrived on the scene, they found Collins sleeping inside the car. He reportedly said the vehicle had slid on the snowy road and he fell asleep behind the wheel while waiting for a tow truck. A male friend had been a passenger in the vehicle and had walked home from the accident.
While talking with Collins, the officers claimed they could smell marijuana coming from the vehicle, giving them probable cause to search it. During the search, they allegedly discovered a glass jar containing around 5 ounces of marijuana on the passenger side floorboard. They claim to have also discovered a firearm on the driver’s side floorboard. Collins was placed under arrest and allegedly told officers he had additional guns and marijuana in his home. He was charged with drug possession with the intent to distribute, possession of more than 10 grams of marijuana and keeping a gun in his vehicle. The passenger was also arrested and charged with drug possession with the intent to distribute and possession of more than 10 grams of marijuana. Collins was waived from the Ravens that afternoon.
When a traffic stop leads to drug charges, it may be helpful to contact a criminal defense attorney for assistance. The attorney may review the arrest record to determine if the defendant’s rights were violated. If they were, the charges might be dropped.
Source: Owings Mills-Reisterstown, “Former Baltimore Ravens Player Catches Gun, Drug Charges,” Elizabeth Janney, March 2, 2019