Drug Trafficking

Drug Trafficking Lawyer 

Fighting for Clients In Deland, Daytona Beach and Throughout Central Florida

Drug Trafficking can be found in Florida Statute 893.135. When you think of drug trafficking, you have to think about the words “minimum mandatory”. A minimum mandatory is a mandatory prison sentence that a judge is required to impose if a person is found guilty. Trafficking charges carry minimum mandatory sentences that are imposed based on the amount of drugs found in your possession. In Florida, Trafficking Charges are charged as a first-degree felony, punishable by up to thirty years in prison. The Judge can lawfully exceed any minimum mandatory sentence.

With offices in Deland and Daytona Beach, we’ve represented clients throughout Central Florida for over 18 years.  

Trafficking in Cannabis

To prove the crime of Trafficking in Cannabis, the State is required to prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

  1. The Defendant knowingly possessed, sold, purchased, manufactured, delivered, or brought into Florida, a certain substance;
  2. The substance was cannabis;
  3. The cannabis weighed more than 25 pounds, or constituted 300 or more cannabis plants.

Minimum Mandatory Sentences for Trafficking in Cannabis

  • Cannabis in excess of 25 pounds but less than 2,000 poundsThree Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $25,000.00 fine.
  • Cannabis in excess of 300 plants but less than 2,000 plantsThree Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $25,000.00 fine.
  • Cannabis in excess of 2,000 pounds but less than 10,000 poundsSeven Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $50,000.00 fine.
  • Cannabis in excess of 2,000 plants but less than 10,000 plants – Seven Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $50,000.00 fine.
  • Cannabis in excess of 10,000 pounds – Fifteen Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $200,000.00 fine.

Trafficking in Cocaine

To prove the crime of Trafficking in Cocaine, the State is required to prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

  1. The Defendant knowingly possessed, sold, purchased, manufactured, delivered, or brought into Florida, a certain substance;
  2. The substance was cocaine;
  3. The cannabis weighed more than 28 grams.

Minimum Mandatory Sentences for Trafficking in Cocaine

  • Cocaine in excess of 28 grams but less than 200 grams – Three Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $50,000.00 fine.
  • Cocaine in excess of 200 grams but less than 400 grams – Seven Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $100,000.00 fine.
  • Cocaine in excess of 400 grams but less than 150 kilograms – Fifteen Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $250,000.00 fine.
  • Cocaine in excess of 150 kilograms – Life in Prison.

Trafficking in Morphine, Opium, Hydromorphone, or Heroin

To prove the crime of Trafficking in Morphine, Opium, Hydromorphone, or Heroin, the State is required to prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

  1. The Defendant knowingly possessed, sold, purchased, manufactured, delivered, or brought into Florida, a certain substance; 
  2. The substance was morphine, opium, hydromorphone, heroin, or a mixture containing morphine, opium, hydromorphone, or heroin; and
  3. The morphine, opium, hydromorphone, or heroin weighed more than 4 grams.

Minimum Mandatory Sentences for Trafficking in Morphine, Opium, Hydromorphone, or Heroin

Morphine, Opium, Hydromorphone, or any salt, derivative, isomer, or salt of an isomer thereof, including heroin, in the amount of:

  • 4 grams but less than 14 grams – Three Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $50,000.00 fine.
  • 14 grams but less than 28 grams – Fifteen Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $100,000.00 fine.
  • 28 grams but less than 30 kilograms – Twenty Five Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison and a $500,000.00 fine.

Minimum Mandatory Sentences for Trafficking Hydrocodone, Codeine, or Salt Thereof

  • 14 grams but less than 28 grams – Three Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $50,000.00 fine.
  • 28 grams but less than 50 grams – Seven Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $100,000.00 fine.
  • 50 grams but less than 200 grams – Fifteen Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison and a $500,000.00 fine.
  • 200 grams but less than 30 kilograms – Twenty-Five Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison and a $750,000.00 fine.

Minimum Mandatory Sentences for Trafficking Oxycodone

  • 7 grams but less than 14 grams – Three Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $50,000.00 fine.
  • 14 grams but less than 25 grams – Seven Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison, and a $100,000.00 fine.
  • 25 grams but less than 100 grams – Fifteen Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison and a $500,000.00 fine
  • 100 grams but less than 30 kilograms – Twenty-Five Years Prison up to Thirty Years Prison and a $750,000.00 fine.

The Thompson Law Approach

Attorney Thompson knows that each case and each client is different, and there will never be a situation where you will be coupled with another case. Attorney Thompson takes the time to learn about you as an individual before deciding how to defend your case. Attorney Thompson limits the number of cases he takes to ensure that each client receives the personal attention they deserve. Take the time to let Attorney Thompson get to know the person you are by setting up a free consultation with Thompson Law by calling (386) 280-4977 or toll free by calling (386) 280-4977.

Commonly Asked Questions

What are the minimum mandatory sentences for drug trafficking in Florida?

In Florida, drug trafficking charges come with minimum mandatory sentences that vary depending on the type and amount of the drug involved. For example, trafficking in cannabis over 25 pounds but less than 2,000 pounds carries a minimum of three years in prison and a $25,000 fine. The sentences can escalate to fifteen years and a $200,000 fine for amounts exceeding 10,000 pounds. Cocaine trafficking sentences start at three years for amounts over 28 grams and can lead to life in prison for amounts exceeding 150 kilograms.

What should I do if I'm facing drug trafficking charges in Deland or Daytona Beach?

If you're facing drug trafficking charges in Deland, Daytona Beach, or anywhere in Central Florida, it's crucial to seek legal counsel immediately. Contacting a knowledgeable attorney like Attorney Thompson, who has over 18 years of experience in this field, can be a decisive factor in your case. You can set up a free consultation with Thompson Law to discuss your case and explore your defense options.

Are the penalties for trafficking in opioids like morphine and heroin different from other drugs in Florida?

Yes, the penalties for trafficking opioids such as morphine, opium, hydromorphone, or heroin are distinct and based on the weight of the substance. For instance, trafficking amounts of 4 grams but less than 14 grams can result in three years in prison and a $50,000 fine, while amounts of 28 grams but less than 30 kilograms can lead to twenty-five years in prison and a $500,000 fine. These penalties reflect the severity with which Florida law treats opioid trafficking.

Can the judge impose a sentence higher than the minimum mandatory for drug trafficking in Florida?

Yes, in Florida, judges have the authority to impose sentences that exceed the minimum mandatory requirements for drug trafficking offenses. The minimum mandatory serves as a baseline, and depending on the circumstances of the case, such as the amount of drugs involved and other aggravating factors, the judge can lawfully determine a more severe sentence up to the maximum allowed, which can be as high as thirty years in prison or even life imprisonment for certain drug amounts.
  • Domestic Violence

    Client was texting a friend when her significant other tried to grab for her phone. When the client tried to pull away, the victim claimed that he was battered and the client was arrested and brought before DCF due a child being in the house. Attorney Matt Thompson wrote a letter to the State explaining the discrepancy in evidence and claimed that the client was in fact moving away from the victim and did not intentionally try to hit the victim. All charges against the client were dismissed.

  • Sale and Possession of Heroin

    Defendant entered a treatment facility while case was pending. Attorney Thompson provided progress reports of all of her progress during her stay to show improvement. State agreed to amend all charges to simple possession and the Defendant was sentenced into Drug Court.

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    Client was accused of shooting a shotgun over the head of two minors. Attorney Thompson did a public records request to discover that officers reported to the scene of the crime the night of the incident and spoke to the victims on the evening the alleged crime occurred and believed the victims to be intoxicated and unreliable. Attorney Thompson conducted depositions of the officers and ultimately all charges were reduced to a misdemeanor and no incarceration.

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    Attorney Matt Thompson, through depositions and litigation was able to show that officers did not act according to the warrant by picking up the client immediately upon sight. The charge of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, which carries a mandatory felony conviction, was dismissed by the State and the client was offered probation and no felony conviction.

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    Mr. Thompson took depositions of the victim showing that the victim was not truthful with police when she provided her statement as to what happened. Confronted victim with social media posts, bank records, and telephone records to show that she was not in the places that she stated she was during the time the alleged crime took place. Case 1 was dismissed and the Defendant pled to Case 2 and received two (2) years of prison and credit for fifteen (15) months in prison.

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