North Carolina Drug Trafficking Attorney

Drug trafficking convictions carry some of the harshest punishments in the state. If you face these charges, it’s essential that you contact a drug trafficking lawyer in North Carolina to build a robust defense strategy. At Hiltzheimer Law Office, our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys can help you effectively fight these serious consequences.

We are dedicated to helping our clients receive the individualized representation they deserve. There is no one-size-fits-all defense when you hire our team. Our years helping people facing both state and federal drug trafficking charges allow us to understand exactly what a conviction would mean for your life, so we’ll work tenaciously to help you.

Contact our team to schedule a consultation today.

Drug trafficking laws NCGS 90-95 define drug trafficking as involving the sale, possession, or delivery of a substantial amount of a controlled substance.

Elements of Drug Trafficking in North Carolina

The North Carolina state legislature has drafted our drug trafficking laws broadly, such that the prosecution in many cases will not be required to prove intent or actual trafficking in the conventional sense of the term.  Instead, North Carolina law identifies certain quantity thresholds of various drugs that, if proven, amount to trafficking if you are found to be in the mere possession of those quantities.  And to make matters worse, if you are convicted of trafficking, you’ll be facing mandatory prison and fines outside of the standard Structured Sentencing grid, regardless of your prior criminal record or lack thereof.

Under North Carolina law, anything above the following quantities — if the State can prove possession and the quantity beyond a reasonable doubt — meets the threshold for drug trafficking:

• Marijuana:
  • More than 10 pounds but less than 50 pounds: Class H Felony
    • Minimum 25 months incarceration and $5000 fine
  • 50 pounds or more but less than 2000 pounds: Class G Felony
    • Minimum 35 months incarceration and $10,000 fine
  • 2000 pounds or more but less than 10,000 pounds: Class F Felony
    • Minimum 70 months incarceration and $50,000 fine
  • 10,000 pounds or more: Class D Felony
    • Minimum 175 months incarceration and $200,000 fine
• Cocaine:
  • 28 grams or more but less than 200 grams: Class G Felony
    • Minimum 35 months incarceration and $50,000 fine
  • 200 grams or more but less than 400 grams: Class F Felony
    • Minimum 70 months incarceration and $100,000 fine
  • 400 grams or more: Class D Felony
    • Minimum 175 months incarceration and $250,000 fine
• Methamphetamine:
  • 28 grams or more but less than 200 grams: Class F Felony
    • Minimum 70 months incarceration and $50,000
  • 200 grams or more but less than 400 grams: Class E Felony
    • Minimum 90 months incarceration and $100,000 pounds
  • 400 grams or more: Class C Felony
    • Minimum 225 months incarceration and $250,000 fine
• Opium, Opiate, or Opioid:
  • 4 grams or more but less than 14 grams: Class F Felony
    • Minimum 70 months incarceration and $50,000 fine
  • 14 grams or more but less than 28 grams: Class E Felony
    • Minimum 90 months incarceration and $100,000 fine
  • 28 grams or more: Class C Felony
    • Minimum 225 months incarceration and $500,000 fine
• LSD:
  • 100 or more dosage units but less than 500: Class G Felony
    • Minimum 35 months incarceration and $25,000
  • 500 or more dosage units but less than 1000: Class F Felony
    • Minimum 70 months incarceration and $50,000 fine
  • 1000 or more dosage units: Class D Felony
    • Minimum 175 months incarceration and $200,000 fine
• MDMA/Molly/Ecstasy:
  • 100 or more tablets or dosage units but less than 500; or 28 grams or more but less than 200 grams: Class G Felony
    • Minimum 35 months incarceration and $25,000
  • 500 or more tablets or dosage units but less than 1000; or 200 grams or more but less than 400: Class F Felony
    • Minimum 70 months incarceration and $50,000 fine
  • 1000 or more tablets or dosage units; or 400 grams or more: Class D Felony
    • Minimum 175 months incarceration and $250,000 fine

The exact sentence you face depends on the kind of felony you’re charged with. Each felony level and illegal substance has its own sentencing guidelines. It’s crucial to remember, however, that a conviction can mean a mandatory minimum sentence that may include prison time and fines. More than one drug trafficking conviction has to be served consecutively, which means you serve them back to back.

You can face anywhere from two to 18 years in prison, as well as up to $250,000 in fines. Because a drug trafficking conviction results in a felony criminal record, you can face other serious consequences as well. For instance, you may no longer be able to vote, have firearms, or serve on a jury. You won’t be able to get certain jobs or apply for federal housing.

One way you could avoid serving the minimum sentence if you’re convicted of a trafficking offense is if you provide substantial assistance to the state. Substantial assistance refers to providing information that leads to the identification, arrest, or conviction of co-conspirators, accomplices, or accessories.