Denver Drug Trafficking Lawyer
Drug trafficking is the felony offense of possessing, manufacturing, selling, distributing, or having any other part in the process of manufacturing/distributing large quantities of controlled substances. Drug trafficking differs from simple possession or possession with the intent to distribute in that trafficking involves very large quantities. As such, the penalties for drug trafficking are much higher. Denver drug trafficking lawyer Reid DeChant at DeChant Law assists clients who are facing serious drug trafficking offenses for cocaine, methamphetamine, cannabis, opioids, and all other controlled substances.
Penalties for Drug Trafficking in Colorado
The specific charges you are facing depend on the amount and type of the controlled substance you are being accused of trafficking. For example, trafficking 10 grams of LSD would be a much greater offense than trafficking 10 grams of cocaine. Examples of drug trafficking offenses include the following:
- Level 1 trafficking offense—8 to 32 years in prison
- Over 225 grams of a schedule I or II controlled substance
- Over 112 grams of methamphetamine, heroin, ketamine, or cathinones
- Level 2 drug trafficking offense—4 to 16 years in prison
- 14 to 225 grams of a schedule I or II controlled substance
- Seven to 112 grams of methamphetamine, heroin, ketamine, or cathinones
- Level 3 drug trafficking offense—2 to 6 years in prison
- Up to 14 grams of a schedule I or II controlled substance
- Up to seven grams of methamphetamine, heroin, ketamine, or cathinones
Despite recreational and medical marijuana being legalized in Colorado, trafficking of large amounts of cannabis is still a crime, and the penalties are, like the above examples, severe in terms of fines and prison time.
Federal Drug Trafficking Offenses
Drug trafficking is often charged as a federal crime. If the defendant transported drugs across state lines, sent the controlled substance via USPS or another carrier, or worked with individuals in other states to commit the offense, they will likely be tried in federal court, not state. Not only do federal prosecutors have greater resources at their disposal and an incredibly high conviction rate of over 95 percent, but the penalties for a federal drug trafficking conviction are even higher:
- Mandatory minimum of five years in prison, and up to 40 years in prison. Up to $5 million in fines for an individual defendant.
- If a death or serious injury occurred, mandatory minimum of 10 years, and up to life in prison. Up to $8 million in fines for an individual defendant.
This is for the lowest quantities of Class I and Class II controlled substances. The penalties rise as the amount of controlled substance increases.
Call a Denver Drug Trafficking Lawyer Today
Drug trafficking charges are heavily persecuted in the state of Colorado, and in federal court. You need to work with an attorney who is familiar with representing clients both in state and federal court, and who has taken on complex drug trafficking cases in the past. Denver drug trafficking lawyer Reid DeChant at DeChant Law offers the best legal defense available in the Denver area when it comes to drug trafficking. Call DeChant Law today at 303-409-7500 for a free case evaluation.
