Drug Trafficking
Several people often assume that alleged offenders are only charged with the crime of drug trafficking when they are caught selling or physically transporting controlled substances in Florida.
The truth is that drug trafficking charges are based on the amount of an illegal drug that an alleged offender possesses, not necessarily the alleged activity he or she was involved in.
Drug trafficking offenses are among the most serious types of controlled substance crimes individuals can be charged with, as convictions for such crimes can often carry harsh mandatory minimum sentences.
As a felony offense, a conviction for drug trafficking not only carries the potential for a lengthy prison sentence and steep fines, but also an incredibly damaging criminal record that can lead to long-term hardship in matters concerning employment, housing, or government benefits.
Attorney for Drug Trafficking Arrests in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Do you believe that you might be under investigation or were you already arrested in Broward County for an alleged drug trafficking crime? Do not say anything to authorities until you have contacted Meltzer & Bell.
Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyers Lawrence Meltzer and Steven Bell represent clients accused of drug offenses in Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Davie, and many surrounding areas of South Florida.
Call (954) 765-6585 to have our attorneys review your case and help you understand all of your legal options during a free, confidential consultation.
Broward County Drug Trafficking Information Center
- How are drug trafficking crimes classified under state law?
- What are the possible consequences of federal drug trafficking charges?
- Where can I learn more about drug trafficking in Broward County?
Florida Drug Trafficking Charges
Under Florida Statute § 893.135, trafficking offenses are defined as a person knowingly selling, purchasing, manufacturing, delivering, or bringing into Florida, or knowingly being in actual or constructive possession of a certain amount of a controlled substance.
Trafficking crimes under state law in Florida are graded according to both the type and amount of the illegal drug involved in an alleged offense:
Controlled Substance | Amount | Fine | Prison Sentence |
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 | |
More than 25 pounds, but less than 2,000 pounds | $25,000 | Minimum of three years up to 30 years in prison | |
2,000 pounds or more, but less than 10,000 pounds | $50,000 | Minimum of seven years up to 30 years in prison | |
10,000 pounds or more | $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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 |
Federal Drug Trafficking Penalties in Broward County
When an alleged drug trafficking offense involves any kind of interstate activity, the alleged offender could face federal charges. Federal drug trafficking cases are even more serious than those brought by state prosecutors because federal prosecutors often have far greater resources at their disposal to seek convictions and the possible penalties involved can be even more severe.
People could face any one of the following sentences for federal drug trafficking offenses:
Controlled Substance | Amount | Prison Sentence | Fine |
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 | ||
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 | 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 | ||
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 | 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 | 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. |
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. |
Types of Drug Trafficking Charges in Florida
Florida law provides for many different types of trafficking charges including:
- 499.0051(6) – TRAFFICKING IN CONTRABAND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
- 893.135(1)(F)1A – TRAFFICKING IN AMPHETAMINE
- 893.135(1)(B)1A – TRAFFICKING IN COCAINE
- 893.135(1)( C )1 A – TRAFFICKING IN HEROIN
- 893.135(1)( A )1 – TRAFFICKING IN MARIJUANA
- 893.135(1)( E )1 A – TRAFFICKING IN METHAQUALONE
- 893.135(1)( D )1 A – TRAFFICKING IN PHENCYCLIDINE
- 893.135(1)( G )1 A – TRAFFICKING IN FLUNITRAZEPAM
- 893.135(1)( C )1 A – TRAFFICKING IN HYDROMORPHONE
- 893.135(1)( H )1 A – TRAFFICKING IN GHB
- 893.135(1)( J )1 A – TRAFFICKING IN 1,4 – BUTANEDIOL
- TRAFFICKING IN PHENETHYLAMINES (MDMA)
- 893.135(1)( I )1 A – TRAFFICKING IN GAMMA BUTYROLACTONE (GBL)
- 893.135(1)( L )1 A – TRAFFICKING IN LSD
- 893.135(1)( C )2 A – TRAFFICKING IN HYDROCODONE
- 893.135(4 )( A )(I) AND B (I) – TRAFFICKING IN ALFENTANIL
- 893.135(4)( A )(III) AND B (I) – TRAFFICKING IN FENTANYL
- 893.135(4)( A )(V) AND B (I) – TRAFFICKING IN A FENTANYL DERIVATIVE
- 893.135(4)( A )(VII) AND B (I) – TRAFFICKING IN A MIXTURE CONTAINING ALFENTANIL
- 893.135(4)( A )(VII) AND B (I) – TRAFFICKING IN A MIXTURE CONTAINING CARFENTANIL
- 893.135(4)( A )( VII) AND B (I) – TRAFFICKING IN A MIXTURE CONTAINING FENTANYL
- 893.135(4)( A )(VII) AND B (I) – TRAFFICKING IN A MIXTURE CONTAINING SUFENTANIL
Florida Drug Trafficking Resources
Metro Broward Drug Task Force (MBDTF) | Broward Sheriff’s Office — The South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) is a program established in 1990 that “fosters cooperation among law enforcement agencies in this region and involves them in developing a strategy to target the region’s drug-related threats to public safety.” The MBDTF is a multi-jurisdictional initiative that the South Florida HIDTA initiated funding for on October 1, 2010. It is a multi-jurisdictional initiative composed of 13 local, county, state and federal agencies that you can learn more about on this website.
Broward Sheriff’s Office
2601 W. Broward Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954) 765-4321
Criminal Interdiction Unit (CIU) | Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles — The Florida Highway Patrol’s CIU “assists other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the detection and apprehension of drug traffickers and other criminal offenders that utilize the roadways of Florida.” The unit is equipped with sophisticated drug detection equipment that you can learn more about on this website. You can also learn more about the amounts and values of drugs the CIU has seized.
Finding Drug Trafficking Lawyers in Broward County, FL
If you were arrested or think you could be under investigation for an alleged drug trafficking offense anywhere in South Florida, it is in your best interest to exercise your right to remain silent until you have legal counsel.
Meltzer & Bell defends individuals charged with drug crimes in communities all over the greater Broward County area, including Wilton Manors, Sunrise, Deerfield Beach, Weston, Tamarac, Margate, Coconut Creek, Hallandale Beach, and many others.
Lawrence Meltzer and Steven Bell are experienced criminal defense attorneys in Fort Lauderdale who will make every effort possible to help you achieve the most favorable resolution to your case, including possibly having the criminal charges reduced or dismissed.
Our attorney can provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case as soon as you call (954) 765-6585 or complete an online contact form to take advantage of a free initial consultation.
This article was last updated on Friday, April 27, 2018.
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