Drug Trafficking in Florida

In the state of Florida, you can be charged with drug trafficking simply for possessing large amounts of a drug. It is assumed that by possessing that much, you must be selling or planning to sell some or the entire amount. A drug trafficking charge can mean facing severe criminal and civil penalties. Your money, vehicles, or other possessions may be seized if they are believed to be connected to the drug trade in any way. Futhermore, you are probably looking serious prison time depending on the quantity of the drug you possessed. If you or someone you know has been charged with a related crime, contact a skilled Sarasota drug trafficking attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A. today.

Definition of Drug Trafficking

This crime is defined as the intentional sale, purchase, possession, delivery, or transportation into Florida a certain amount of drugs. The state of Florida sets specific thresholds dictating what is considered a “trafficking amount” of illegal drugs.

The following is a list of common illegal drugs and their minimum trafficking amounts:

• Cannabis: 25 lbs or 300 plants
• Cocaine: 28 grams
• Hydrocodone: 14 grams
• Methamphetamine: 14 grams
• Heroin: 4 grams
• LSD: 1 gram
• Oxycodone: 7 grams

Minimum Mandatory Sentences

In order to be charged with drug trafficking, you must possess a certain weight of illegal drugs (seen above). Minimum mandatory sentences are calculated due to the weight and amount of the drug possessed. All drug trafficking charges have a minimum mandatory sentence, and that increases as the weight of the drug increases.

The following is a list of common illegal drugs and the minimum mandatory sentences for drug trafficking convictions:

• Cannabis:
  • 25 lbs or 300 plants – 3 years minimum
  • 2,000-10,000 lbs or 2,000 plants – 7 years minimum
  • 10,000 or more lbs – 15 years minimum
• Cocaine:
  • 28 grams – 3 years minimum
  • 200-400 grams – 7 years minimum
  • 400 grams – 150 kilograms – 15 years minimum
  • 150 or more kilograms – life sentence
• Methamphetamine:
  • 14 grams – 3 years minimum
  • 28-200 grams – 7 years minimum
  • 200 or more grams – 15 years minimum
• LSD:
  • 1 gram – 3 years minimum
  • 5-7 grams – 7 years minimum
  • 7 or more grams – 15 years minimum
• Oxycodone:
  • 7 grams – 3 years minimum
  • 14-25 grams – 7 years minimum
  • 25-100 grams – 15 years minimum
  • 100 grams – 30 kilograms – 25 years minimum

An experienced and aggressive Sarasota drug defense attorney maybe able to help you avoid these minimum sentences. There are many kinds of defenses that can be used in drug trafficking cases. These can be things like: drugs were recovered during an illegal search, drugs were not yours and you did not know of their presence, or that the crime was committed due to entrapment. Entrapment occurs when someone is coerced into committing a crime by an undercover cop or a confidential informant.

Another method we routinely use is substantial assistance. This is a common approach to reduce the sentence of someone charged with drug trafficking. The prosecutor can agree to reduce your charge if you can provide substantial assistance in catching and detaining other persons involved with drug trafficking and cooperating with law enforcement. Results are rewarded, not efforts in most cases.

Call Pallegar Law, P.A. Today

If you or someone you know has been charged with a drug related crime, contact a knowledgeable Sarasota drug defense attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A. We are here to defend your rights and fight the charges against you. Drug trafficking charges can have severe and far-reaching penalties. Your Sarasota drug defense attorney can change this. Call 941-893-5816 for a free consultation.