Drug Trafficking

Have you been arrested for drug trafficking? Under North Carolina law, possession of a controlled substance over a certain amount can result in a charge for drug trafficking. This charge carries a mandatory prison sentence, even for first-time offenders, if you are convicted.

Drug trafficking carries a steep penalty, and your professional reputation and personal life are on the line. The criminal law attorneys at Wilson, Reives & Doran are dedicated to protecting your rights.

What are your rights in a drug trafficking case?

You may be arrested for drug trafficking even if drugs are not under your control or in your physical possession. Police may push you quickly to cooperate in an investigation and assure you that talking with them on the spot (without first talking with a drug trafficking lawyer of your choice) is in your best interests.

Know that you always have the following rights:

The right to due process
The right to remain silent and avoid self-incrimination
Your Constitutional rights that insure you against unfair police searches, harassment, and intimidation

You may feel that police did not have a right to stop you and search you, your home or vehicle for drugs, or that your search or arrest was in violation of your constitutional rights.

How to get a drug trafficking charge dismissed

Charges against you can be dismissed or reduced if:

Police did not have a valid reason to stop you
Police did not have a valid reason to search you, your property, or your vehicle
Police cannot prove that you were in possession of the drugs in question
You did not give free and voluntary consent to the search, or the police exceeded the scope of your consent
You agree to talk with police confidentially and in the presence of your criminal law attorneys

Because there are scores of ways that a drug trafficking case can be defended and examined, it’s highly advised to have access to the experience and acumen of a seasoned criminal law attorney.

What is drug trafficking?

Despite its name, drug trafficking has less to do with whether illegal drugs cross state lines and more to do with the amount of illegal drugs involved.

Consequences and sentencing for drug trafficking vary significantly depending on:

The type and amount of the illegal drugs involved
Where you were apprehended (for example, bringing an illegal substance into the country carries higher penalties)
Your criminal history

What are North Carolina’s drug trafficking laws?

Trafficking in marijuana

10-49 lbs. can be punishable by 25-30 months imprisonment and a $5,000 fine
50-1,999 lbs. can be punishable by 35-42 months imprisonment and a $25,000 fine
2,000-9,999 lbs. can be punishable by 70-84 months imprisonment and a $50,000 fine
10,000+ lbs. can be punishable by 175-219 months imprisonment and a $200,000 fine

Trafficking in methamphetamines

28-199 grams can be punishable by 70-84 months imprisonment and a $50,000 fine
200-399 grams can be punishable by 90-117 months imprisonment and a $100,000 fine
400+ grams can be punishable by 225-279 months imprisonment and a $250,000 fine

Trafficking in heroin or opium

4-13 grams (-1/2 ounce) can be punishable by 70-84 months imprisonment and a $50,000 fine
14 grams (1/2 ounce)-27 grams (-1 ounce) can be punishable by 90-117 months imprisonment and a $100,000 fine
28+ grams (over 1 ounce) can be punishable by 225-279 months imprisonment and a $250,000 fine

Trafficking in cocaine (including crack)

28 grams (about 1 ounce)-199 grams can be punishable by 35-42 months imprisonment and a $50,000 fine
200-400 grams can be punishable by 70-80 months imprisonment and a $100,000 fine
400+ grams can be punishable by 175-219 months imprisonment and a $250,000 fine

Trafficking in MDMA

100-499 tablets can be punishable by 35-42 months imprisonment
500-999 tablets can be punishable by 70-84 months imprisonment
1,000+ tablets can be punishable by 175-219 months imprisonment

It’s time to speak with a drug trafficking lawyer

Drug trafficking cases can have life-long consequences. Choosing the right criminal law attorney can make a serious difference in both your outcome and your experience.

The criminal law attorneys at Wilson, Reives & Doran are here to provide you with trusted, effective, and experienced legal counsel.

Call (919) 775-5653 or contact us and set up a consultation to speak with one of our experienced attorneys about your case.