A Drug Conspiracy Lawyer Will Defend You in Court
Drug use, possession, and distribution are serious charges in U.S. law. All of these crimes carry some serious prison sentences with them.
At the Zoukis Consulting Group, our federal drug conspiracy defense attorneys thoroughly understand federal drug charges and federal drug laws to give you a solid defense. We defend you in court against a variety of federal drug conspiracy charges. Our strategy includes presenting evidence and navigating charges while striving to mitigate the maximum sentence.
If you are facing federal drug conspiracy charges and require a federal drug conspiracy defense lawyer, look no further. Call the Zoukis Consulting Group, and we’ll arrange a consultation to advise you on your case and establish a defense. We can also help prepare you by providing a consultation prior to a federal prison term if you’re sentenced.
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Types of Drugs Conspiracy Charges
Federal drug laws encompass a wide range of circumstances, which is why it’s important to understand what constitutes drug conspiracy according to federal drug law.
At a rudimentary level, there are two key elements to drug conspiracies:
- Two or more persons conspire to break federal drugs law
- All parties involved knew about and intended to conspire to break federal drugs law
A federal drug conspiracy defense lawyer strives to prove one or both of these things were not true in court.
However, while the definition of what constitutes federal drug law is broad, it includes several more specific types of drug conspiracies. These include:
- Manufacturing a controlled substance
- Distributing a controlled substance
- Possessing a controlled substance
- Importing a controlled substance
Manufacturing a Controlled Substance
The manufacture of controlled substances refers to any involvement you might have had in the production process, including:
- Production
- Preparation
- Extraction
- Possession
Distributing a Controlled Substance
Compared to the federal drug laws on the manufacture of drugs, distribution has a much narrower focus. It refers specifically to deliberately handing over drugs to someone else.
You do not have to receive payment for the drugs to be charged with distribution.
Possessing a Controlled Substance With the Intent to Distribute
As our federal drug lawyers will tell you, possessing a controlled substance is a significantly lesser federal drug charge than manufacturing or distributing drugs.
The penalty for this federal drug charge increases if prosecutors can prove you intended to sell the drugs in your possession. When that happens, you’re charged not with possessing drugs but with intent to sell them.
Various factors quickly escalate a possession charge to a distribution allegation, including:
- Amount of drugs
- Equipment available to you
Importing a Controlled Substance
Like distribution, a federal drug charge for importation is straightforward. The law controls what drugs you can cross the U.S. border with and in what amounts. Typically, you incur an importation charge for lying to or deceiving customs about the drugs you are importing.
What Are the Punishments for Drugs Conspiracy Charges?
The extent of the punishment or sentence you receive varies based on the federal drug laws you break and the drugs involved.
Irrespective of the drug, when the government cannot establish the quantity you possess, there is no minimum sentence. However, the maximum sentence you could receive is 20 years.
Marijuana
If a federal drug lawyer can prove possession of at least 100 kilograms, the minimum prison sentence is five years, and the maximum is 40.
(Crack) Cocaine
If you possess 500 grams of cocaine or 28 grams of crack cocaine, the minimum sentence you can receive is five years, and the maximum is 40 years.
Heroin
The minimum sentence for federal drug crimes related to heroin is five years if you possess five or more grams of heroin. The maximum sentence for this federal drug charge is 40 years.
For possession of more than 50 grams of heroin, the minimum sentence is 10 years and may result in a life sentence.
Methamphetamines
According to federal drugs law, if you are caught with five grams of methamphetamines, there is a mandatory minimum sentence of five years. The maximum sentence is 40 years.
For possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamines, your possible sentence is between 10 years and life.
Opioids
Federal drug laws have updated the legislature around opioids. These include:
- Fentanyl
- Ketamine
- GHB
While there is no minimum sentence, the maximum sentence is 20 years. This increases if your drug involvement results in someone else getting seriously hurt or dying.
There would be further penalties if you were previously convicted of a federal drug conspiracy charge.
There are also repercussions for fentanyl analogs or drugs that are ‘substantially similar’ to fentanyl. This has no minimum sentence but carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
A Federal Drug Conspiracy Lawyer Will Defend You in Court
If you find yourself needing a drug defense lawyer, get in touch with the Zoukis Consulting Group. We’ll review the case and work with you to achieve the best outcome possible. A reputable drug conspiracy defense attorney can make a difference of years to your sentence, and that’s why we’re here.
Contact us today, and we’ll get to work defending your case.
Published Feb 15, 2022 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Aug 4, 2023 at 3:58 am
