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Drug Trafficking

Trafficking a controlled substance in Florida is defined as selling, purchasing, manufacturing, delivering, bringing into the state, or knowingly being in actual or constructive possession of an illegal drug. Even when people have no intent to distribute a controlled substance, they can still face drug trafficking charges if they are allegedly in possession of an amount that exceeds the limits established by state and federal law.

All drug trafficking offenses are essentially felony offenses that can result in several years in prison and tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. Prosecutors present alleged offenders in these cases as threats to the public and seek maximum sentences.

Lawyer for Drug Trafficking Defense in Pensacola, Florida

If you were arrested or believe that you could be under investigation for allegedly trafficking a controlled substance, you should say absolutely nothing to authorities or investigators until you have legal representation. Terrezza Law can fight to protect your rights and work to get these criminal charges reduced or dismissed.

John Terrezza is Pensacola criminal defense attorney who represents residents of such communities as Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Milton, and Gulf Breeze. You can have our lawyer review your case as soon as you call (850) 764-5291 to schedule a completely free initial consultation.


Escambia County Drug Trafficking Information Center


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Florida Drug Trafficking Penalties

Most drug trafficking offenses are classified as first-degree felonies, but cases involving the import of large amounts of certain controlled substances in which an alleged offender knew that the probable result of such importation would be the death of any person are capital felonies that are punishable by death.

Some of the penalties for trafficking offenses in Florida include:

Controlled Substance

Amount

Fine

Prison Sentence

Cannabis

More than 25 pounds, but less than 2,000 pounds
—or—
300 or more cannabis plants, but not more than 2,000 cannabis plants

$25,000

Minimum of three years up to 30 years in prison

2,000 pounds or more, but less than 10,000 pounds
—or—
2,000 or more cannabis plants, but not more than 10,000 cannabis plants

$50,000

Minimum of seven years up to 30 years in prison

10,000 pounds or more
—or—
10,000 or more cannabis plants

$200,000

Minimum of 15 years up to 30 years in prison

Cocaine

28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams

$50,000

Minimum of three years up to 30 years in prison

200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams

$100,000

Minimum of seven years up to 30 years in prison

400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms

$250,000

Minimum of 15 years up to 30 years in prison

150 kilograms or more

Life in prison with ineligibility for any form of discretionary early release

Morphine, opium, hydromorphone, or any salt, derivative, isomer, or salt of an isomer thereof, including heroin

4 grams or more, but less than 14 grams

$50,000

Minimum of three years up to 30 years in prison

14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams

$100,000

Minimum of 15 years up to 30 years in prison

28 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms

$500,000

Minimum of 25 years up to 30 years in prison

30 kilograms or more

Life in prison with ineligibility for any form of discretionary early release

Hydrocodone, or any salt, derivative, isomer, or salt of an isomer thereof

14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams

$50,000

Minimum of three years up to 30 years in prison

28 grams or more, but less than 50 grams

$100,000

Minimum of seven years up to 30 years in prison

50 grams or more, but less than 200 grams

$500,000

Minimum of 15 years up to 30 years in prison

200 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms

$750,000

Minimum of 25 years up to 30 years in prison

30 kilograms or more

Life in prison with ineligibility for any form of discretionary early release

Oxycodone, or any salt, derivative, isomer, or salt of an isomer thereof

7 grams or more, but less than 14 grams

$50,000

Minimum of three years up to 30 years in prison

14 grams or more, but less than 25 grams

$100,000

Minimum of seven years up to 30 years in prison

25 grams or more, but less than 100 grams

$500,000

Minimum of 15 years up to 30 years in prison

100 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms

$750,000

Minimum of 25 years up to 30 years in prison

30 kilograms or more

Life in prison with ineligibility for any form of discretionary early release

Phencyclidine (PCP) or any mixture containing PCP

28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams

$50,000

Minimum of three years up to 30 years in prison

200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams

$100,000

Minimum of seven years up to 30 years in prison

400 grams or more

$250,000

Minimum of 15 years up to 30 years in prison

Methaqualone (Quaalude) or any mixture containing methaqualone

200 grams or more, but less than 5 kilograms

$50,000

Minimum of three years up to 30 years in prison

5 kilograms or more, but less than 25 kilograms

$100,000

Minimum of seven years up to 30 years in prison

25 kilograms or more

$250,000

Minimum of 15 years up to 30 years in prison

Amphetamine, methamphetamine, any mixture containing amphetamine or methamphetamine, or phenylacetone, phenylacetic acid, pseudoephedrine, or ephedrine in conjunction with other chemicals and equipment utilized in the manufacture of amphetamine or methamphetamine

14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams

$50,000

Minimum of three years up to 30 years in prison

28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams

$100,000

Minimum of seven years up to 30 years in prison

200 grams or more

$250,000

Minimum of 15 years up to 30 years in prison

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB)

1 kilogram or more but less than 5 kilograms

$50,000

Minimum of three years up to 30 years in prison

5 kilograms or more but less than 10 kilograms

$100,000

Minimum of seven years up to 30 years in prison

10 kilograms or more

$250,000

Minimum of 15 years up to 30 years in prison

Flunitrazepam or any mixture containing flunitrazepam

4 grams or more but less than 14 grams

$50,000

Minimum of three years up to 30 years in prison

14 grams or more but less than 28 grams

$100,000

Minimum of seven years up to 30 years in prison

28 grams or more but less than 30 kilograms

$500,000

Minimum of 25 years up to 30 years in prison

30 kilograms or more

Life in prison with ineligibility for any form of discretionary early release

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

1 gram or more, but less than 5 grams

$50,000

Minimum of three years up to 30 years in prison

5 grams or more, but less than 7 grams

$100,000

Minimum of seven years up to 30 years in prison

7 grams or more

$500,000

Minimum of 15 years up to 30 years in prison


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Federal Drug Trafficking Penalties

When an alleged offender faces federal drug charges, it is usually for trafficking because any alleged distribution, importation, or exportation crosses state lines. The penalties for federal drug trafficking charges include:

Controlled Substance

Amount

Fine

Prison Sentence

Cocaine

500-4,999 grams

First Offense: Mandatory minimum five year sentence up to 40 years in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, mandatory minimum 20 year sentence up to life in prison.

Second Offense: Mandatory minimum 10-year sentence up to life in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, life sentence.

First Offense: Up to $5 million for individuals, $25 million for non-individuals.

Second Offense: Up to $8 million for individuals, $50 million for non-individuals.

Cocaine base

28-279 grams

Fentanyl

40-399 grams

Fentanyl analogue

10-99 grams

Heroin

100-999 grams

LSD

1-9 grams

Pure methamphetamine

5-49 grams

Methamphetamine mixture

50-499 grams

Pure PCP

10-99 grams

PCP mixture

100-999 grams

Cocaine

5 kilograms or more

First Offense: Mandatory minimum 10-year sentence up to life in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, mandatory minimum 20-year sentence up to life in prison.

Second Offense: Mandatory minimum 20-year sentence up to life in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, life sentence.

Third or Subsequent Offense: Life in prison.

First Offense: Up to $10 million for individuals, $50 million for non-individuals.

Second Offense: Up to $20 million for individuals, $75 million for non-individuals.

Third or Subsequent Offense: Up to $20 million for individuals, $75 million for non-individuals.

Cocaine base

280 grams or more

Fentanyl

400 grams or more

Fentanyl analogue

100 grams or more

Heroin

1 kilogram or more

LSD

10 grams or more

Pure methamphetamine

50 grams or more

Methamphetamine mixture

500 grams or more

Pure PCP

100 grams or more

PCP mixture

1 kilogram or more

Other Schedule I and Schedule II Substances

Any amount

First Offense: Up to 20 years in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, mandatory minimum 20-year sentence up to life in prison.

Second Offense: Up to 30 years in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, life imprisonment.

First Offense: Up to $1 million for individuals, $5 million for non-individuals.

Second Offense: Up to $2 million for individuals, $10 million for non-individuals.

Any drug product containing gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB)

Any amount

Flunitrazepam

1 gram or more

Marijuana

1,000 kilograms or more marijuana mixture, or 1,000 or more marijuana plants

First Offense: Mandatory minimum 10-year sentence up to life in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, mandatory minimum 20-year sentence up to life in prison.

Second Offense: Mandatory minimum 20-year sentence up to life in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, life sentence.

First Offense: Up to $10 million for individuals, $50 million for non-individuals.

Second Offense: Up to $20 million for individuals, $75 million for non-individuals.

Marijuana

100 to 999 kilograms marijuana mixture, or 100 to 999 marijuana  plants

First Offense: Mandatory minimum five-year sentence up to 40 years in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, mandatory minimum 20-year sentence up to life in prison.

Second Offense: Mandatory minimum 10-year sentence up to life in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, life sentence.

First Offense: Up to $5 million for individuals, $25 million for non-individuals.

Second Offense: Up to $8 million for individuals, $50 million for non-individuals.

Marijuana

50 to 99 kilograms marijuana mixture, or 50 to 99 marijuana plants

First Offense: Up to 20 years in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, mandatory minimum 20-year sentence up to life in prison.

Second Offense: Up to 30 years in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, life imprisonment.

First Offense: Up to $1 million for individuals, $5 million for non-individuals.

Second Offense: Up to $2 million for individuals, $10 million for non-individuals.

Hashish

More than 10 kilograms

Hashish Oil

More than 1 kilogram

Marijuana

Less than 50 kilograms marijuana (Not including 50 or more marijuana plants, regardless of  weight), or 1 to 49 marijuana plants

First Offense: Up to five years in prison.

Second Offense: Up to 10 years in prison.

First Offense: Up to $250,000 for individuals, $1 million for non-individuals.

Second Offense: Up to $500,000 for individuals, $2 million for non-individuals.

Hashish

10 kilograms or less

Hashish Oil

1 kilogram or less

Other Schedule III Drugs

Any amount

First Offense: Up to 10 years in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, up to 15 years in prison.

Second Offense: Up to 20 years in prison. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, up to 30 years in prison.

First Offense: Up to $500,000 for individuals, $2.5 million for non-individuals.

Second Offense: Up to $1 million for individuals, $5 million for non-individuals.

All other Schedule IV Drugs (other than one gram or more of Flunitrazepam)

Any amount

First Offense: Up to five years in prison.

Second Offense: Up to 10 years in prison.

First Offense: Up to $250,000 for individuals, $1 million for non-individuals.

Second Offense: Up to $500,000 for individuals, $2 million for non-individuals.

All Schedule V Drugs

Any amount

First Offense: Up to one year in prison.

Second Offense: Up to four years in prison.

First Offense: Up to $100,000 for individuals, $250,000 for non-individuals.

Second Offense: Up to $200,000 for individuals, $500,000 for non-individuals.


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Florida Drug Trafficking Resources

Florida Statute § 893.135 — You can view the full text of entire Florida drug trafficking statute. It covers the penalties and amounts for all controlled substances, including some that are not listed in the table above. You can also learn more about when a first-degree felony becomes a capital felony.

Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) | Federal Trafficking Penalties — View the full table of federal drug trafficking penalties. On this website, you can also find drug fact sheets, information on drug scheduling, and the Controlled Substances Act. You can also learn more about the major operations and programs of the DEA.


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Terrezza Law | A Lawyer for Drug Trafficking Defense in Pensacola, FL

Were you arrested for allegedly trafficking a controlled substance in Florida? Whether you are facing state or federal drug charges, it is in your best interest to contact Terrezza Law as soon as possible.

Pensacola criminal defense attorney John Terrezza serves communities in and around Okaloosa County, Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, and Walton County. Call (850) 764-5291 or submit an online contact form right now to take advantage of a free, confidential consultation that will let our lawyer review your case.

 


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