Drug Trafficking – Criminal Defense Attorney in Philadelphia

Drug trafficking and drug dealing are serious offenses in Pennsylvania and can carry extremely harsh penalties. Depending on the amount of a controlled substance recovered and the law enforcement agency involved, drug trafficking can lead to prosecution in state or federal court, with far-reaching and intrusive investigations. If you are convicted of drug trafficking, you may face years in prison and expensive fines.

If you are facing drug trafficking charges in Pennsylvania, or you think you may be under investigation, you should contact an attorney immediately. The criminal defense lawyers at Kenny, Burns & McGill have handled thousands of cases from start to finish, many of which have involved the trafficking of controlled substances at the local, state, and federal level.

What is the difference between drug trafficking and drug dealing?

It is important to note the difference between drug trafficking and drug dealing. Low-level drug dealers tend to be charged with possession with intent to distribute or deliver (PWID). These are dealers who are found with a relatively small amount of a drug which is packaged for distribution and/or alongside a sizeable amount of cash. Drug trafficking is dealing on a large scale, often measured in kilograms or pounds instead of in grams and ounces. Four dime bags of weed and $300 in cash might just get you a PWID charge; four bricks of weed and $12,000 in cash might very well get you a drug trafficking charge.

Penalties for drug trafficking can vary depending on several factors, including:

• Your prior criminal record. Prior drug convictions and other offenses make it more likely that the prosecutor will seek a higher sentence.
• The quantity of drugs involved. More drugs means a harsher sentence. Moving a few grams of a controlled substance will likely get a lighter sentence than moving a kilo.
• The type of drugs involved. Trafficking Schedule I drugs (marijuana, heroin, LSD, etc.) will often get a more severe sentence than Schedule II drugs (morphine, cocaine, meth, etc.), Schedule III drugs (steroids, codeine, etc.), or Schedule IV drugs (Valium, Xanax, etc.).
• Whether the offense is prosecuted in state or federal court. Federal drug trafficking charges generally carry longer sentences and higher fines than state charges.

Whether your drug trafficking charges involve the cultivation, transportation, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances, the criminal defense lawyers at Kenny, Burns & McGill are ready to step in and provide the aggressive representation you deserve.