Smuggling controlled substances is a felony, and anyone accused of smuggling narcotics could face serious criminal punishment. If the police catch you with drugs and believe that you intended to sell them, you’ll most likely be facing drug trafficking charges – and if there is any element that involves other states or countries, the federal government may be involved. It is crucial to work with a lawyer who has experience working in both state and federal cases so that you are prepared for every possible outcome.
If you’re found guilty of smuggling controlled substances, you could potentially face large fines and anywhere from 3-5 years up to life in prison. Because the range of punishments for the import and export of drugs is so great, you’ll need to enlist the services of an experienced federal drug defense attorney early on in your case. He or she will look over the details of your case and help you understand exactly what you are up against.
Drug trafficking laws not only apply to drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines, but also to unlawful prescription drugs. If the police catch you distributing sleeping pills or painkillers, you could face the same serious felony charges. Law enforcement officers and federal agents often look for large amounts of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, or cash as a tipoff that you are involved in the import and export of drugs, and may also look at phone or email communications, bank accounts, or assets to determine the extent of a drug crime. If you’re under investigation, remember that you have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer. Always contact an attorney before you say anything to the police.
It is illegal to be in possession of controlled substances that the government has outlawed. If you’re caught with an illegal drug, the state of Michigan will most likely handle your case. Federal agents will be looking for large sums of money and greater quantities drugs to determine if you had the intent to smuggle narcotics. They may also look at cross-border or interstate travel. If they have reason to believe you wanted to smuggle drugs, you may be investigated by a federal agency such as the DEA.
Both drug possession and drug trafficking are illegal. Drug trafficking, however, is much more severe. If you’re found guilty of smuggling controlled substances, you will receive a felony on your record and will be up against some of the harshest penalties inflicted by the courts. You could potentially owe the government up to 20 million dollars and have to spend the rest of your life in jail.
Both the state of Michigan and the federal government have laws in place that ban the selling of controlled substances. A controlled substance is anything that the government has a say in how it is used and distributed. Controlled substances are classified at different levels, depending on the laws involved in your case.
While there is no clear-cut penalty for every drug trafficking case, there is a set of guidelines that influences every verdict. The judge overseeing your case involving the smuggling of controlled substances will consider the type and amount of drugs involved, where they were distributed, and if individuals under the age of 18 were targeted. If children were involved, or if the drugs distributed were illegal, your punishment will most likely be more severe. Additionally, agents investigating your case will look at where drugs traveled and try to determine the alleged smugglers intent. In drug smuggling cases, defendants often end up facing numerous different charges, sometimes even in multiple jurisdictions. You’ll need an attorney who is passionate about defending your freedom if you want a shot at receiving a successful verdict. The sooner you get a lawyer involved, the better your chances are of clearing your name.
The Grabel & Associates team has been fighting for Michigan’s wrongfully accused in tough drug crime cases for over 15 years. We value proven results, and invite you to take a look and see how we’ve helped others involved in the smuggling of controlled substances. If you’d like to learn more about how we can apply our knowledge and experience in your case, give us a call toll-free at 1-800-342-7896. A skilled case analyst will be available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and get you connected with the right attorney to handle your federal or state drug crime case.
If you suspect you’re under investigation for a drug related offense, give our team a call at 1-800-342-7896. We’ll provide you with a free initial case consultation and explain every step of your case so that you can determine how to move forward as you seek to defend your freedom.