In the simplest terms, drug trafficking or distribution refers to any activity involving the handling of controlled substances. While other drug-related crimes can include possession, production, or general usage, drug trafficking specifically focuses on criminal activities involving the transportation of controlled substances.
Typical drug trafficking charges in the state of Florida can include importing, transporting, and selling controlled substances.
Fiction and Reality
As a crime, drug trafficking has frequently been presented in fantastic detail through film and television shows. Such images have a special attraction in the state of Florida, which has long been a popular location for depicting fictional drug trafficking/law enforcement stories. Such depictions could lead many people to assume that drug trafficking only involves large-scale situations, the kind presented in the film with warehouses of workers creating and packing drugs while armed guards and enforcers patrol the building.
While that image may be solidly fixed in many imaginations, the reality of drug trafficking can include even relatively minor situations. It’s important to understand that Florida drug laws never apply only to large amounts of controlled substances or to situations involving organized crime. State laws apply to everyone in the state, which means anyone found with a controlled substance on their person can be charged with a crime.
So while large-scale drug distribution operations would obviously be in violation of the Florida drug trafficking laws, a person found with half an ounce of a controlled substance on their person while driving can also be charged with drug trafficking, since they had the substance on their person while traveling.
Types of Controlled Substances
Florida state law focuses on the type and amount of a controlled substance found in the possession of the person or persons charged with the crime. However, the list of controlled substances can be subject to change, as new drugs can be designed/created and laws changed.
Current Florida state penalties for drug trafficking include:
Marijuana
-Between 25 and 2,000 pounds, or between 300 and 2,000 cannabis plants – Three years in jail, and a fine of $25,000
-Between 2,000 and 10,000 pounds, or between 2,000 and 10,000 cannabis plants – Seven years in jail, and a $50,000 fine.
-Anything over 10,000 pounds and/or cannabis plants – 15 years and $200,000.
Cocaine
-Between 28 and 200 grams – Three years, $50,000.
-Between 200 and 400 grams – Seven years, $100,000.
-More than 400 grams but lower than 150 kilograms – 15 years and a $250,000 fine.
Morphine, opium, hydromorphone, or any salt, derivative, isomer, or salt of an isomer
-Between 4 and 14 grams – Three years, $50,000.
-Between 14 and 28 grams – 15 years, $100,000.
-Between 28 grams and 30 kilograms – 25 years, $500,000.
Oxycodone
-Between 7 and 14 grams – Three years, $50,000.
-Between 14 and 25 grams – Seven years, $100,000.
-Between 25 and 100 grams – 15 years, $500,000.
-Between 100 grams and 30 kilograms – 25 years, $750,000.
Legal Representation
As listed above, even situations with small amounts of controlled substances can mean big consequences under Florida drug trafficking laws. If you have been charged with drug related crime, contact the legal team of Farkas and Crowley. We have the experience to provide you a rigorous defense. Contact Farkas and Crowley P.A. today. Call 24/7 at 561-444-9529
