Drug trafficking is a charge where you do not have to prove intent to sell or distribute to be charged with it. Possession of a large amount of an illegal drug is considered trafficking regardless of your intent. The law generally assumes that if you have large amounts of drugs that you must be involved in some kind of distribution. Trafficking charges are serious and carry minimum mandatory sentences. This means that if you are convicted of drug trafficking there is a minimum amount of prison time that you must serve. If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime related to drug trafficking, contact an experienced Tampa drug attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A.
Definition of Drug TraffickingFlorida Statute 893.135 defines the crime of drug trafficking as, “Any person who knowingly sells, purchases, manufactures, delivers, or brings into this state, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession of, in excess of 25 pounds of cannabis, or 300 or more cannabis plants…”
The statute goes further to describe what is considered a cannabis plant. Seedlings, cuttings, and full-grown plants all fall under this category. If the seedling or cutting has easily observable evidence of root formation (i.e. root hairs) it falls under this category. This does not include callous tissue (a growing mass of plant cells). Calling an aggressive Tampa drug attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A. will allow you to explore all of your options for defense and fight the charges against you.
Penalties for Drug Trafficking – Minimum Mandatory SentencesAll drug trafficking charges have associated minimum mandatory sentences. These sentences are increased relative to the amount and weight of the drug possessed. The larger the amount (or weight) of a drug, the longer the minimum mandatory sentence will be.
Possession of marijuana becomes a trafficking offense if the amount possessed is more than 25 pounds, or more than 300 plants. If you are caught with more than 25 pounds but less than 2,000, or between 300 and 2,000 cannabis plants, the minimum mandatory sentence is 3 years with an associated fine of $25,000.
For possession of between 2,000 and 10,000 pounds of cannabis, or between 2,000 and 10,000 plants, the minimum mandatory sentence is 7 years with an associated fine of $50,000. For possession of 10,000 pounds or more, or 10,000 or more plants, the minimum mandatory sentence is 15 years with an associated fine of $200,000. This is why it’s important to call a skilled Tampa drug lawyer if you have been charged with a drug trafficking crime. At Pallegar Law, P.A. we can help you avoid minimum mandatory sentences as well as hefty fines.
Call Pallegar Law, P.A. Today for a Free ConsultationIf you or someone you know has been charged with a crime related to drug trafficking, contact a knowledgeable Tampa drug attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A. today. Hiring a good defense attorney can help you avoid minimum mandatory sentences as well as high court fines and costs. Call us today at 813-444-3912 to schedule a consultation.