Drug Trafficking Attorney in Miami, FL
Drug trafficking can be the sale, delivery, manufacture, or possession of certain drugs over a specified quantity. Unlike drug possession charges, convictions for State and Federal criminal law violations impose severe penalties for drug trafficking offenses. Minimum mandatories for drug offenses can range from three (3) years to life in prison, depending upon the quantity and type of drug. Due to the severity of these charges and the draconian penalties they carry, it is extremely important to involve an experienced drug trafficking attorney in Miami, Florida, as soon as possible.
In Miami-Dade County, individuals caught with large quantities of drugs are subject to aggressive prosecution in state and federal courts. Drug trafficking is often associated with drug cartels and organized crime. Still, under Florida law, it is a crime that can be committed by anyone who possesses a certain amount of illegal drugs, even if they are not involved in selling or distributing the drugs. Even first-time offenders may face mandatory minimum prison sentences if convicted of drug trafficking, even if they are not considered “drug dealers.”
What is Drug Trafficking under Florida Law?
The Florida drug trafficking statute states that a person commits drug trafficking when they knowingly possess, sell, purchase, manufacture, deliver, or bring into Florida a “trafficking amount” of drugs. The specific penalties for drug trafficking depend on the type and quantity of the controlled substance involved. It is essential to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney if you are facing drug trafficking charges in Miami.
Florida Drug Trafficking Mandatory Penalties
| Controlled Substance/Amount | Minimum Mandatory Sentence |
| 200 grams Hydrocodone | 25 Years State Prison |
| 100 grams Oxycodone | 25 Years State Prison |
| 28 grams of Opiates | 25 Years State Prison |
| 50 to 200 grams Hydrocodone | 15 Years State Prison |
| 25 to 100 grams Oxycodone | 15 Years State Prison |
| 14 grams of Opiates | 15 Years State Prison |
| 10,000 pounds/plants of Cannabis | 15 Years State Prison |
| 400 grams of Cocaine | 15 Years State Prison |
| 400 grams of Phencyclidine | 15 Years State Prison |
| 25 kilograms of Methaqualone | 15 Years State Prison |
| 200 grams of Amphetamine | 15 Years State Prison |
| 28 grams of Flunitrazepam | 15 Years State Prison |
| 10 Kilograms of GHB | 15 Years State Prison |
| 10 Kilograms of GBL | 15 Years State Prison |
| 400 grams of MDMA | 15 Years State Prison |
| 7 grams of LSD | 15 Years State Prison |
| 28 to 50 grams Hydrocodone | 7 Years State Prison |
| 14 to 25 grams Oxycodone | 7 Years State Prison |
| 2,000 pounds/plants of Cannabis | 7 Years State Prison |
| 200 grams of Cocaine | 7 Years State Prison |
| 200 grams of Phencyclidine | 7 Years State Prison |
| 5 Kilograms of Methaqualone | 7 Years State Prison |
| 28 grams of Amphetamine | 7 Years State Prison |
| 14 grams of Flunitrazepam | 7 Years State Prison |
| 5 Kilograms of GHB | 7 Years State Prison |
| 200 grams of MDMA | 7 Years State Prison |
| 5 grams of LSD | 7 Years State Prison |
| 14 to 28 grams Hydrocodone | 3 Years State Prison |
| 7 to 14 grams Oxycodone | 3 Years State Prison |
| 25 Pounds or 30,000 plants of Cannabis | 3 Years State Prison |
| 4 grams of Opiates | 3 Years State Prison |
| 28 grams of Cocaine | 3 Years State Prison |
| 28 grams of Phencyclidine | 3 Years State Prison |
| 200 grams of Methaqualone | 3 Years State Prison |
| 14 grams of Amphetamine | 3 Years State Prison |
| 4 grams of Flunitrazepam | 3 Years State Prison |
| 1 Kilogram of GHB | 3 Years State Prison |
| 10 grams of MDMA | 3 Years State Prison |
| 1 Gram of LSD | 3 Years State Prison |
Defenses to Drug Trafficking Charges
There are several defenses that a person can raise against drug trafficking charges in Florida. Some of these defenses include:
- The defendant lawfully possessed the drugs, such as with a valid prescription
- The defendant did not know that they were in possession of the drugs
- The evidence seized was not a controlled substance
- The defendant was not involved in the trafficking of drugs and was simply an innocent bystander at the wrong place and time
Other legal defenses include challenging an illegal search and seizure, and entrapment.
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by the police. This means that the police must follow specific rules and procedures when conducting searches, and any evidence obtained through an illegal search may be excluded from court. This could be a useful defense in a drug trafficking case, as it may allow the defendant to challenge the evidence against them if it was obtained through an illegal search.
A defendant facing a drug trafficking charge can argue an entrapment defense when a law enforcement officer or confidential informant uses coercion or other tactics to persuade a person to commit a drug crime they would not have committed otherwise. If it can be shown that the defendant was entrapped, the court may dismiss the charges against them. This is because entrapment is considered a violation of the defendant’s rights, and allowing the case to proceed would be unfair.
Even in difficult cases where there may not seem to be any legal defenses available, an experienced drug trafficking attorney can often provide valuable help and guidance by helping you understand your legal options and developing a strategy to achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
Other Resources
Florida Statute 893.135 – Florida drug trafficking statute.
21 U.S. Code § 841 – Federal drug trafficking statute.
Contact an Experienced Miami Drug Trafficking Attorney
Whether you or a loved one has been arrested or is under investigation for a drug trafficking offense in Florida, it is critical to consult with an experienced drug trafficking crime attorney as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected. Drug trafficking is a serious crime punishable by significant fines and prison sentences, even for first-time offenders. You need the counsel of an experienced lawyer to guide you through the process and maximize your chances of resolving your case with a favorable outcome.
Over the years, we have represented hundreds of clients in a wide range of drug crimes. There is a good chance that we have dealt with your type of case and have represented other Florida drug trafficking clients who shared similar needs and concerns that you may have. Feel free to browse through the results section of our site for a representative sample of some of our past cases and the results we have achieved for our clients.
By taking the immediate action of hiring an attorney to defend yourself, you are minimizing the chances that your drug trafficking case will have lasting consequences for your career, personal life, and reputation.
CALL US NOW for a CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION at (305) 538-4545, or simply take a moment to fill out our confidential and secure intake form.* The additional details you provide will greatly assist us in responding to your inquiry.
*Due to the large number of people who contact us requesting our assistance, it is strongly suggested that you take the time to provide us with specific details regarding your case by filling out our confidential and secure intake form. The additional details you provide will greatly assist us in responding to your inquiry in a timely and appropriate manner.
ALWAYS INVESTIGATE A LAWYER’S QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE BEFORE MAKING A DECISION ON HIRING A LAWYER
The following are the most common clerk codes for state drug trafficking offenses in Miami-Dade County:
AMPH/TRAFF/ARMED
AMPHET/TRAFF/ATTEMPT
AMPHETAMIN/TRAFF/CON
CANNABIS/TRFK/ARMED
CANNABIS/TRFK/ATT
COC/ILL/CON/TRAF/ARM
COCAINE/CONSP TRAF
COKE/TRAF/400>/<150K
COKE/TRAFF/200>/<400
COKE/TRAFF/28>/<200
COKE/TRFK/28>/<150K
COKE/TRFK/ARMED
COKE/TRFK/ATTEMPT
COKE/TRFK/SOLICIT
DRUGS/TRAFFICK/ATT
DRUGS/TRAFFICKING
FENTAN/TRAF/4+GRAMS
FENTAN/TRAF/ARMED
ILL DRG/TRFK/ARMED
ILL DRUGS/TRF/ARM/AT
ILL DRUGS/TRF/ATTEMP
LSD/TRFK/>5<7GR
LSD/TRFK/1>/<5GR
LSD/TRFK/1>/<5GR/CON
LSD/TRFK/7>GRMS
OXYCODONE/TRAFFIC/AR
PCP/TRAF/28GR>/<200G
PHEN/ECSTASY/TRA/>10
PHEN/TRAFF/CONSPIRE
TRAF N-B PHEN/14<100
TRAFF/CONTR/PRES DRG
TRAFFICK/GHB