Drug trafficking crimes can be prosecuted by both state and federal officials. Most border arrests, large drug arrests, and arrests for transporting or distributing drugs over state lines end up in federal court. Most federal narcotics investigations are conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). Federal criminal charges often involve the manufacture, distribution, dispensing or possession with the intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense of controlled substances, the use of a telephone or other electronic device in connection with a controlled substance offense, the importation or smuggling of controlled substances into the United States, and conspiring to commit these offenses. Drug charges often are brought together with other felony charges, such as mail and wire fraud. Internet drug pharmacies and the illicit diversion of prescription medications also may be prosecuted under drug trafficking statutes. Large-quantity drug trafficking is a type of federal drug crime that is subject to the three-strike rule. Persons with two or more previous convictions will receive a life sentence if convicted. Mandatory life sentences are also possible in federal drug crimes charges for marijuana trafficking, in which death or serious injury resulted.

Sometimes innocent individuals are federally prosecuted for receiving illegal drugs through mail or other means of shipment, or if drugs are found in a secret compartment in their car, boat, plane or truck. If you did not know that the drugs were there, you may be able to beat or reduce the charges against you. If your role in a drug trafficking operation was relatively minor, it may be possible to negotiate a plea for a lesser charge or to obtain an adjustment to the mandatory minimum sentence under federal sentencing guidelines.

Federal drug crimes are very serious because lengthy mandatory minimum prison sentences apply. Depending on the quantity of drugs involved, mandatory sentences range from five to 10 years in a federal penitentiary, even for a first offender. If you have a prior conviction, the sentences may be doubled, resulting in mandatory incarceration for 20 years.

If you have been arrested or prosecuted for drug trafficking, call Anchor Criminal Defense for a free consultation.