Tampa Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Tampa Drug Trafficking And Importation Attorneys

Last updated on July 31, 2023

Drug trafficking and importation has been prevalent in Florida for decades. Strict laws are enforced in an attempt to address this issue. If you were arrested for possessing a large amount of marijuana, cocaine, meth or as few as 15 to 20 pills of a prescription drug such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, the government may charge you with drug trafficking.

Drug trafficking is often charged as a federal crime, but you may also face state charges. The amount and type of drug that you are accused of trafficking will affect your sentence. Under Florida Statute Section 893.135, the penalties for drug trafficking may range from prison sentences of three to 25 years and fines of up to $500,000.

Our Tampa drug trafficking attorneys are skilled in state and federal criminal defense. As a former prosecutor, founding attorney Mark J. O’Brien understands how the government prosecutes drug trafficking and importation cases and is ready to help anyone facing these charges in Florida.

Our case results in this area are impressive, including obtaining the reduction or dismissal of drug trafficking and other federal drug charges. Clients facing decades in prison have achieved outcomes that do not involve prison time or probation.

In the early stages of a drug trafficking case, we may be able to negotiate reduced charges or argue for a case dismissal. We will examine the evidence and the case against you. This may include the legality of the search of your home or car, the existence of probable cause and the use of any informants.

When it is in our clients’ best interests, we take drug trafficking and importation cases to trial. We are aggressive litigators who have defended thousands of criminal cases.

Possession Of A Firearm In Furtherance Of A Drug Trafficking Crime

United States law forbids a person involved in a crime to possess a firearm. Penalties are very severe. In addition to the prison sentence for the underlying crime, the first count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of the underlying crime carries with it a five or seven-year minimum mandatory prison sentence that must be run consecutively with the underlying crime’s prison sentence. Each count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of the underlying crime thereafter carries with it a 25-year minimum mandatory sentence that must be run consecutively with all other sentences.

Synthetic Drug Trafficking

Synthetic drugs include various substances ranging anywhere from bath salts, K2, spice, incense and potpourri. At some point, these substances were legal and widely available in stores throughout the state. Alarmed by reports of kids and adults getting sick on these types of synthetic drugs, authorities have responded and cracked down on these productions, classifying them as illegal controlled substances under state law.

Mere possession of any of these synthetic drugs can be a third-degree felony in Florida, punishable by up to five years in prison. Possession with intent to sell is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Trafficking is punished most harshly of all as a first-degree felony with penalties of up to 30 years in prison as well as mandatory minimum prison sentences. In all instances, individuals convicted of these offenses will have their driver’s licenses suspended by the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Contact A Florida Drug Trafficking Attorney

Our results for many of our clients facing state and federal drug charges throughout Florida speak for themselves. For a free initial consultation, please call 813-440-2347 or contact us online.