DRUG TRAFFICKING DEFENSE

Drug trafficking is treated as a serious felony offense in North Carolina, and the potential consequences can be severe.  If convicted, you could face severe fines, prison time, and a felony criminal record.  If you’ve been accused of drug trafficking — whether it’s cocaine, heroin, marijuana, LSD, MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly), methamphetamine, or other — the first and most important decision you will make is choosing the right lawyer to advocate on your behalf.  We have over a decade of experience litigating the complex legal issues that often emerge in serious felony drug cases, and a track record of results.  Call our Raleigh & Durham drug trafficking lawyer today for a free consultation on your trafficking case.

DRUG TRAFFICKING LAWS

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

North Carolina’s drug trafficking penalties are harsh, and do not take into account your prior criminal record — even if this is a first offense — like most other criminal charges in the state.  And the penalties listed above are minimums only, and can be far worse depending on a variety of factors.

If you’ve been charged with drug trafficking, or are being investigated for drug trafficking, contact a Raleigh & Durham drug trafficking lawyer immediately to make sure that your rights are protected.  We have the experience and skill to advocate for your interests at every stage of the process, both in and out of court.

Call for a free consultation on your drug trafficking case today at (919) 899-9404.