What Is Drug Trafficking?
There is a variety of drug crimes outlined by Florida laws, and one of the most serious charges is drug trafficking. This crime is defined by Florida statute 893.13 as the act of selling, purchasing, manufacturing, delivering, or bringing into the state, or knowingly possessing certain types of drugs.
What Are The Penalties For Drug Trafficking?
The associated penalties depend upon a variety of factors, including the type, amount, and weight of controlled substances involved. However, drug trafficking charges are one of the few criminal charges that require the perpetrator to serve a minimum sentence in prison.
Most drug trafficking offenses are charged as a first-degree felony, punishable by up to thirty years in prison, and facing fines that can be as high as $10,000. Some of the penalties outlined by the Florida Statutes are as follows:
Marijuana Trafficking:
| Weight of the illegal substance | Time in prison | Monetary fine |
| 25 – 2,000 pounds. Or 300 or more marijuana plants. | 3 years | $25,000 |
| 2,000 – 10,000 pounds. Or 2,000 or more marijuana plants. | 7 years | $50,000 |
| 10,000 or more pounds. Or 10,000 or more marijuana plants. | 15 years | $200,000 |
Heroin Trafficking:
| Weight of the illegal substance | Time in prison | Monetary fine |
| 4 – 14 grams | 3 years | $50,000 |
| 14 – 28 grams | 15 years | $100,000 |
| 28 grams – 30 kilograms | 25 years | $500,000 |
Cocaine Trafficking:
| Weight of the illegal substance | Time in prison | Monetary fine |
| 28 – 200 grams | 3 years | $25,000 |
| 200 – 400 grams | 7 years | $100,00 |
| 400 grams – 150 kilograms | 15 years | $250,000 |
LSD Trafficking:
| Weight of the illegal substance | Time in prison | Monetary fine |
| 1 – 5 grams | 3 years | $50,000 |
| 5 – 7 grams | 7 years | $100,000 |
| 7 grams or more | 15 years | $500,000 |
These are examples of penalties that can be faced by the defendant, however, federal convictions for drug trafficking may carry harsher penalties than those imposed at the state level.
Being charged and convicted of drug trafficking may have a lasting impact on people. This is why having an experienced attorney on your side is important to safeguard your rights and advocate for you. Russell Spatz effectively handles all types of drug charges. To schedule a time to discuss your drug crime matter with attorney Russell Spatz, please call Spatz Law Firm, PL, at 305-442-0200.