Interstate drug trafficking is the illegal import of illegal controlled substances– such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs– by means of the interstate system. Interstates have constantly been essential for the crime of drug trafficking, as criminals play a menacing game of cat and mouse with law enforcement. What is risky for interstate drug traffickers is the many reasons they can be pulled over: minor traffic violations, such as speeding, driving too slow, driving with a crack in the windshield, or a taillight out. Law enforcement has also been identified for employing illegal approaches such as racial and out of state profiling, making interstate drug trafficking all the more perilous.
Once a law enforcement officer has you pulled over, if the motor vehicle seems to be tampered with (the alteration of panels, screws, or interior parts) for smuggling reasons, they will almost always request a better look at the car. If you don’t know your civil rights and concede, then a drug bust may take place and before you know it another law enforcement team member is on site with a drug-sniffing dog. In fact, you deserve privacy and reject consent, and anyone stopped under these pretenses should simply present their driver’s license and registration details. You do not have to answer their concerns if you do not want to.
Interstate Drug Trafficking Penalties
Interstate drug trafficking charges following a conviction for a felony state or federal drug trafficking charge will likely cause very serious complications, like a huge fine or a mandatory prison sentence. Possession of cocaine is punishable by minimum penalties of two years in jail and $10,000 in fines and maximum of life imprisonment and fines of not more than $250,000 for possession of 400 grams or more. Possession of 2 oz or less is a misdemeanor which carries imprisonment of 180 days and a maximum fine of $2,000. If prosecutors can validate you intended to distribute a controlled substance, your penalties could be more critical.
Interstate Drug Trafficking Defense
Interstate drug trafficking defense lawyers can question the issuance and execution of search warrants to fight unfairly taken in evidence, can contest illegal search warrants and reveal police mistakes made during the process. When the evidence is countered against you, lawyers can delve into sentencing options and essentially reach an agreement with the prosecution. In federal drug trafficking cases, where sentences are far more serious, there may be the option to check out a substance abuse program for the accused in order to set aside conviction and sentencing.
Interstate Drug Trafficking Lawyer
The pre-file stage of an interstate drug trafficking case is one of the most detrimental for the accused. It is necessary that you call and work with a lawyer quickly after your arrest because police and prosecutors will move swiftly and their inspection will be unwavering in getting you to incriminate yourself so they could put you behind bars. Reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney who can look at all possible outcomes of the case and speak skillfully on your behalf, to make sure you are not taken advantage of.
