25-Year Sentence For Head Of Drug Trafficking Ring

In late November 2023, a Leon County jury handed down a 25-year sentence to a man convicted of drug and firearms charges, most notably conspiracy to traffick cocaine weighing over 400 grams. Florida’s Department of Law Enforcement had been building a case against the man for several months, eventually learning that he made routine trips to other states to purchase illegal drugs to sell in Florida. While drug trafficking is not often practiced on such a large scale, it is a crime that can get a person in serious trouble if they are charged with committing it. An attorney is crucial in this type of case.

Potential Penalties Are Very Serious

Florida takes drug offenses very seriously, but drug trafficking is perhaps the most significant simply because it is a crime with visible victims. Traffickers sell drugs to individuals, who have a high likelihood of becoming addicted, with all of the potential hazards that can come with that status. The man was convicted of trafficking in cocaine over a certain amount, which is a first-degree felony in Florida that can carry up to 30 years in jail, but trafficking in any illegal substance will generally be charged as a felony simply because the stakes are so high.

In addition to having stiff sentences to begin with, most drug crimes in Florida carry mandatory minimum sentences – in other words, a period of time that must be served in jail, with no possibility of parole or probation. The minimum mandatory sentence for drug trafficking is 3 years behind bars – and for the man convicted in Leon County, this is in addition to any additional minimums imposed by weapons charges.

Specific Intent Not Required

The most important thing to remember about being charged with drug trafficking in Florida is that unlike in many other states, no specific intent is required on the part of the defendant to warrant a trafficking charge. In other words, the prosecution does not need to establish that you intended to traffick in drugs if you are caught with enough of them – for example, state law holds that if a person is found with 14 grams or more of methamphetamine, they can be charged with drug trafficking even if they had no intent whatsoever to part with any of that amount.

Regardless of the amount of illegal substance involved in your case, remember that you do have the right to assert a defense. Depending on your situation, you may be able to argue that some of the evidence in your case was obtained inappropriately, or that you lacked the knowledge of the substance’s illegal nature. An attorney can help to craft the best possible defense, and protect your rights in court.

Contact A West Palm Beach Drug Crimes Attorney

The man convicted in Leon County faces a long time behind bars, but if you have been charged with drug trafficking, you still have the right to your day in court. A West Palm Beach drug crimes attorney from Perlet & Shiner, P.A. can help to guide you through the legal process and safeguard your interests. We are ready to try and assist you – contact us at (561) 721-0552 today to speak with an attorney.

Source:

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