Drug Trafficking Attorneys

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• Jail or prison time
• large fines
• Probation
• Permanent criminal record
• Mandatory drug education classes

Does drug trafficking sound an awful lot like distribution charges? The two are remarkably similar, however there’s an important difference between the two that may determine which one you are actually charged with. Drug distribution usually refers to the actual process of importing, transporting, and selling illegal substances, which in and of itself is considered a Class B felony.

Trafficking is similar, however these charges are usually levied based on the weight of the drugs in question. Should the amount of drugs weigh a substantial amount, regardless of whether or not they have been moved or sold, you could be charged with drug trafficking.

• Methamphetamine: 33.6% of all cases
• Cocaine: about 20% of all cases
• Marijuana: 17.6% of all cases
• Heroin: 14% of all cases
• Crack cocaine: 8% of all cases

Many drug trafficking cases are tried at the federal level. This is because drug trafficking involves illegal importation or transportation across borders, which violates federal law. The potential penalties for drug trafficking also vary depending on the type of substance involved. Drug crimes involving drugs in Schedules I and II face the harshest penalties because they are considered the most dangerous substances.

In general, you face:

• Numerous years in prison
• In the most serious cases, a life sentence
• Fines of up to $250,000
• Probation

between

• 500 and 4,999 grams of cocaine
• 28 and 279 grams of a cocaine base
• 40 and 399 grams of a fentanyl mixture
• 10 and 99 grams of fentanyl analogue
• 100 and 999 grams of heroin
• one and nine grams of LSD
• five and 49 grams of pure methamphetamine
• 50 and 499 grams of a methamphetamine mixture
• 10 and 99 grams of pure PCP
• 100 and 999 grams of a PCP mixture

A conviction for a first offense is punishable by a maximum federal prison term of up to 40 years (with a minimum sentence of five years) and a fine of up to $5 million for individuals or $25 for groups, or maximum life sentence (with a minimum term of 20 years) if the charge involved serious injury or death.

A conviction for a second offense is a maximum federal prison term of life imprisonment and a fine of up to $8 million for individuals and $50 million for groups.

• Five kilograms (around 11 lbs.) or more of cocaine
• 280 grams or more of a cocaine base
• 400 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture
• 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue
• one kilogram (approximately 2.2 lbs.) or more of heroin
• 10 grams or more of LSD
• 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine
• 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture
• 100 grams or more of pure PCP
• one kilogram or more of a PCP mixture

A conviction for a first offense results in a maximum life sentence (with a minimum of 10 years) and fines of up to $10 for individuals and $50 million for groups, or a maximum life sentence (with a minimum term of 20 years) if the charge involved serious injury or death.

A conviction for a second offense carries a maximum life sentence (with a minimum term of 20 years) and fines of up to $20 million for individuals or $75 million, or a life sentence if the charge involved serious injury or death. If a person has two or more prior convictions, it is punishable by life imprisonment.

Any amount of any other Schedule I or Schedule II narcotic, or one gram of flunitrazepam – A conviction for a first offense is a maximum 20-year prison term and fines of up to $1 million for individuals or $5 million for groups, or a maximum life sentence (with a minimum term of 20 years) if the charge involved serious injury or death.

A second conviction carries a maximum 30-year prison term and fines of up to $2 million for individuals or $10 million for groups, or a life sentence if the charge involved serious injury or death.

Any amount to any other Schedule III narcotic – A first-time conviction carries a maximum 10-year prison term and fines of up to $500,000 for individuals and $2.5 million for groups, or a maximum 15-year prison sentence if the charge involved serious injury or death. A second offense results in a maximum 20-year prison term and fines of up to $1 million for individuals or $5 million for groups, or a maximum 30-year prison term if the charge involved serious injury or death.

Any amount to any other Schedule IV narcotic or below one gram of flunitrazepam – A first offense leads to a maximum five-year prison sentence and fines of up to $250,000 for individuals and $1 million for groups. A second offense carries a maximum 10-year prison term and fines of up to $500,000 for individuals and $2 million for groups.

Any amount of any other Schedule V narcotic – A first offense results in a maximum one-year prison sentence and fines of up to $100,000 for individuals and $250,000 for groups. A second offense is punishable by a maximum four-year prison sentence and fines of up to $200,000 for individuals and $500,000 for groups.

1,000 kilograms (approximately 2205 lbs.) or more of cannabis, or 1,000 or more plants – A first offense is punishable by a maximum life sentence (with a minimum term of ten years) and fines of up to $10 million for individuals and $50 million for groups, or a minimum term of 20 years if the charge involved serious injury or death.

A second offense carries a maximum life sentence (with a minimum term of 20 years) and fines of up to $20 million for individuals or $75 million for groups, or a life sentence with no minimum if the charge involved serious injury or death.

Between 100 kilograms (approximately 220.5 lbs.) and 999 kilograms (approximately 2202 lbs.) of marijuana or between 100 and 999 plants – A first offense leads to a maximum 40-year prison sentence (with a minimum of five years) and fines of up to $5 million for individuals or $25 for groups, or a maximum life sentence (with a minimum term of 20 years) if the charge involved serious injury or death.

A second offense results in a life sentence (with a minimum of ten years) and fines of up to $20 million for individuals or $75 million for groups, or a life sentence with no minimum term if the charge involved serious injury or death.

Between 50 kilograms (approximately 110 lbs.) and 99 kilograms (approximately 218 lbs.) of cannabis or over 10 kilograms (approximately 22 lbs.) of hashish – A first offense is punishable by a maximum 20-year prison term and fines of up to $1 million for individuals or $5 million for groups, or a maximum life sentence (with a minimum term of 20 years) if the charge involved serious injury or death.

A second offense carries a maximum 30-year prison term and fines of up to $2 million for individuals or $10 million for groups, or a maximum life sentence with no minimum term if the charge involved serious injury or death.

Less than 50 kilograms of cannabis, 10 kilograms or less of hashish, or one kilogram or less of hashish oil – A first offense is punishable by a maximum five-year prison term and fines of up to $250,000 for individuals or $1 million for groups.

A second offense results in a maximum 10-year prison sentence and fines of up to $500,000 for individuals or $2 million for groups.

Do you suspect you are under investigation for drug trafficking? Have you been contacted by law enforcement or the DEA? If so, you will want to begin taking action now. First, contact a criminal defense attorney like Phil Stein, Adam Chingren, or Ashley E. Repp at SRC Law Group. It’s best to have legal representation on your side as early as possible so they can guide you from the very beginning of your case. Next, keep quiet and keep a low profile. Stay out of additional trouble, especially if you have a pending case.

After you hire a defense attorney, they can provide further insight into what you should be doing throughout your case. Trust in the exceptional skills and experience of the attorneys at SRC Law Group to help you navigate the complexities of your drug trafficking case and work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome.