Miami marijuana traffickers have more to worry about than getting arrested by law enforcement authorities. A recent survey revealed that most of the South Florida and Miami home invasions are related to marijuana trafficking or cocaine trafficking operations. The majority of South Florida and Miami home-invasion robberies occur between drug dealers or rival gang members. Generally, the home-invaders force their way into rival drug dealers or gang members homes with guns in an effort to steal drugs, money or jewelry. Miami criminal defense lawyers have seen a rise in home invasions as a result of the increased drug trade and gang related violence in the Miami and South Florida area.
While the majority of Miami home-invasion robberies stem from the drug trade or gang activities, there has been a reported increase in numbers of the violent crime where truly innocent victims are involved. On March 20, 2009, in Lake Worth, Florida, a would be home-invader broke into a home belonging to a Palm Beach County police officer. When the home invader knocked and barged his way into the home, he was shot and killed by the officer.
On September 30, 2009, two masked robbers forced their way into a home and sexually assaulted a young woman. Law enforcement investigators say that it is uncommon for sexual assaults to occur during a home-invasion. Authorities recommend that the best way to avoid being a victim of a Miami home-invasion robbery is to keep doors locked and check to see who is knocking before opening the door.
Statistics show that although home invasions are uncommon, but have been steadily on the rise across Miami, South Florida and the entire State of Florida. In 2006, 732 home invasion robberies were reported in 2006, and 894 reported in 2007. Law enforcement authorities recommend that if a person is a victim of a home-invasion robbery, do not resist and relinquish any property that is demanded. Property can be replaced, not your life.
Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County boast the highest number of home-invasion robberies in Florida. However, the statistics appear to be inaccurate due to the fact that many of the crimes are actually burglaries rather than home-invasion robberies.
Avoid a Home Invasion: Know Who's Knocking at the Door, SunSentinal.com, October 10, 2009.
