Raleigh Drug Trafficking Lawyer

Drug trafficking is a very serious crime in North Carolina, and those convicted of drug trafficking charges may be facing huge fines and lengthy imprisonments, as well as the lifelong consequences of being a felon. In fact, North Carolina’s drug trafficking laws are some of the toughest in the nation, but the judges do have some discretion when it comes to sentencing. Nonetheless, whether you’re under investigation or arrest for this alleged crime, you need to contact a Raleigh drug trafficking lawyer as soon as possible.

We at the Law Office of Dewey P. Brinkley understand how frightening this charge can be, especially with the prospect of imprisonment and a felony on your record. However, there are ways to defend your case, prove your innocence, and protect your rights.

Drug Trafficking Laws in North Carolina

Drug trafficking is often a misunderstood term, as a lot of people associate it with drug cartels or major criminal organizations. Fact is, under North Carolina law, if you’re caught with a certain amount of a controlled substance, you can be convicted of drug trafficking and, in many cases, face mandatory imprisonment. The prosecution doesn’t even need to prove that the alleged offender had intended to distribute the drug or transport it from one place to another. Some thresholds for a drug trafficking charge can include:

  • 10 pounds of marijuana
  • 28 grams of cocaine
  • 28 grams of methamphetamine
  • 4 grams of opium or heroin
  • 100 units of LSD
  • 28 grams of MDMA

It is important to note that these limits represent the least severe drug trafficking charges. For example, the possession of 10 pounds of marijuana results in a Class H felony in North Carolina, while 50 pounds of marijuana could result in a Class G felony.

Penalties for Drug Trafficking

The penalties for drug trafficking vary based on the amount of drugs. In general, however, if charged with drug trafficking, you will be facing a mandatory minimum prison sentence and a felony. The penalties for drug trafficking are as follows:

Drug Amount of Drug Type of Felony Potential Jail Sentence
Marijuana 10 to 49 pounds Class H felony 25 to 39 months
Cocaine 28 to 199 grams Class G felony 35 to 51 months
Methamphetamine 28 to 199 grams Class F felony 70 to 93 months
Opium or heroin 4 to 13 grams Class F felony 70 to 93 months
LSD and MDMA 100 to 499 units Class G felony 35 to 51 months

For drug quantities higher than listed above, the penalties become incrementally more severe. The highest penalty for drug trafficking, a Class C felony, can result in 225 months to 282 months in prison (almost 23 years).

Contact Drug Trafficking Attorney Dewey Brinkley Today

Because of the broad definitions for drug trafficking in North Carolina, if you’re caught in possession of a lot of drugs, the court can convict you of drug trafficking without even needing to prove your intent.

With years of experience as a Raleigh criminal defense and drug trafficking lawyer, Dewey P. Brinkley will aggressively and diligently fight using a multiple-angle approach, using the leading defense strategies while challenging the prosecution’s narrative, evidence, and witnesses. We won’t stop until every legal option is exhausted.

For a free consultation with Attorney Brinkley, contact our Raleigh law firm by dialing (919) 832-0307 today.