Orange County Drug Trafficking Lawyer

Drug trafficking is a crime that involves the selling, transportation and importation of illegal drugs and controlled substances throughout the United States. As this is a crime that typically crosses state lines and even international borders, this is a crime that is classified as a federal offense. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the penalties for trafficking drugs are most often determined by (i) the Schedule of the drug and the (ii) amount of the drug that is being trafficked.

About Federal Trafficking Charges and Penalties

The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) was enacted in 1970 as part of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 and is largely considered to be the country's federal drug policy. Under the CSA, drugs were all classified into five different Schedules based upon several factors, such as level of addiction associated with the drug and whether or not it has a proven medicinal purpose. The DEA uses this act to help outline the penalties that are associated with the trafficking of several different drugs.

For example, to traffic between 28 and 279 grams of cocaine base (a Schedule II drug), carries with it a penalty of between 4 and 40 years of imprisonment and a monetary fine less than $5 million, $25 million if there is more than one individual involved in the crime. If serious bodily injury or death occurred during the commission of the crime, this will jump up to imprisonment from 20 years to life.

For heroin (a Schedule I drug), a second offense of trafficking 100 to 999 gms, the penalty will include a minimum of ten years and a monetary fine of up to $8 million, $50 million if more than an individual. Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug; penalties for trafficking cannabis go as follows:

• 50 to 99 plants - A first offense involves a $1 million fine for an individual and a second offense involves a $2 million fine for an individual. $5 million and $10 million fines for if it is not an individual respectively for a first and second offense.
• 100 to 999 plants - A first offenseis penalized with between 5 and 40 years of incarceration and monetary fine of $2 million - $5 million if not an individual. A second offense can be penalized with a minimum of 10 years of imprisonment, no more than life. Monetary fines include $4 million for an individual and $10 million if not an individual.
• 1000+ plants - A first offense carries penalties of 10 years to life for incarceration and $4 million fine for an individual, $10 million if not an individual. A second offense is 20 years to life and an $8 million find for an individual, $20 million if not an individual.

Arrested for trafficking drugs in Orange County, CA?

If you have been criminally charged with the trafficking of drugs or a controlled substance or any other type of drug crime, then it is in your best interests to get the involvement of an experienced Orange County criminal lawyer that you can trust. At the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, we have been protecting the rights of the accused since 1989. With a track record of success, you can be confident knowing that when you choose to work with us that we will go the distance in our efforts to provide you with a high-quality and reliable legal defense when it is needed most.

Contact an Orange County drug defense attorney from our firm today by calling 866-902-6880 if you have been criminally charged with the trafficking of drugs.