Pennsylvania residents should know that the drug crisis is reaching a fever pitch. Opioid overdoses are climbing, and law enforcement is targeting those who distribute these and other illicit drugs to the public at large.
Drug trafficking charges are serious, and the punishment equally harsh. Understanding all that goes into this type of charge may help you avoid getting caught up in a bust. The experts and professionals here at Stanton D. Levenson, P.A. aim to educate you on the elements law enforcement may employ to build a case of drug trafficking.
Drug trafficking basics
You may have visions of drug cartels and scenes from movies when you hear the term drug trafficking. However, the definition of it is much broader and simpler. Under federal law, anyone who sells, transports and imports an illegal drug may find themselves with a trafficking charge. It is a felony and brings with it much stiffer punishments than just possession. Not everyone who gets caught with drugs gets a trafficking charge. Those who do typically have more than a usable quantity, or they may have other indicators that point to distribution such as scales, large amounts of cash or individual bags of drugs.
Controlled substances and trafficking
Prescription drugs may also fall under trafficking. When an officer finds a person in possession of a large quantity of something classified as a controlled substance, whether there is a prescription or not, the authorities may pursue felony charges. The more significant the amount, the more likely the charge will go federal.
The ramifications of drug charges are far-reaching. Visit this link for more in-depth information on what may constitute this type of legal difficulty.