Drug Trafficking Lawyer in Raleigh
If you think that you could be under investigation or you were already arrested for any kind of alleged drug trafficking crime in the Research Triangle, it will be in your best interest to retain legal counsel as soon as possible. The Coolidge Law Firm aggressively defends individuals arrested for alleged drug crimes in Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, and many surrounding areas of Wake County, including students at such local colleges as Duke University, Meredith College, North Carolina State University (NCSU), and Shaw University.
David Coolidge is a criminal defense lawyer in Raleigh who can investigate to determine if police officers violated your constitutional rights or committed any other errors in the handling of your arrest. Call (919) 239-8448 today to have our attorney review your case and answer all of your legal questions during a free initial consultation.
Attorney for Drug Trafficking Arrests in Raleigh
While the crime of drug trafficking is often thought to involve some kind of sale or transportation of a controlled substance, state law in North Carolina classifies criminal offenses as constituting trafficking of a certain drug when the alleged offender sells, manufactures, delivers, transports, or possesses more than a certain amount of a controlled substance. North Carolina has some of the strictest drug trafficking laws in the nation.
Prosecutors do not need to prove that alleged offenders necessarily sold or even had an intent to sell a controlled substance in order to charge such people with drug trafficking. When a person is accused of trafficking a controlled substance, the possible prison sentences are dramatically increased from the consequences of mere simple possession. The alleged offender also faces the possibility of federal involvement which could ultimately result in a very lengthy prison sentence due to severe federal sentencing guidelines.
Overview of Drug Trafficking in North Carolina
- What amounts constitute drug trafficking crimes in North Carolina?
- How long will alleged offenders be sentenced to prison?
- Where can I find more information about drug trafficking in Raleigh?
Drug Trafficking Charges in Raleigh
North Carolina General Statute § 90-95(h) establishes several different instances in which alleged offenders can be charged with trafficking in certain controlled substances. People may be arrested for drug trafficking if they sell, manufacture, deliver, transport, or possess any of the following amounts of the following controlled substances:
|
Controlled Substance |
Amount |
Classification |
Minimum Fine |
|
Marijuana (Cannabis) |
More than 10 pounds (avoirdupois), but less than 50 pounds |
Class H felony |
$5,000 |
|
50 pounds or more, but less than 2,000 pounds |
Class G felony |
$25,000 |
|
|
2,000 pounds or more, but less than 10,000 pounds |
Class F felony |
$50,000 |
|
|
10,000 pounds or more |
Class D felony |
$200,000 |
|
|
Synthetic cannabinoids (with a dosage unit consisting of 3 grams of synthetic cannabinoid or any mixture containing such substance) |
More than 50 dosage units, but less than 250 dosage units |
Class H felony |
$5,000 |
|
250 dosage units or more, but less than 1,250 dosage units |
Class G felony |
$25,000 |
|
|
1,250 dosage units or more, but less than 3,750 dosage units |
Class F felony |
$50,000 |
|
|
3,750 dosage units or more |
Class D felony |
$200,000 |
|
|
Methaqualone (tablets, capsules or other dosage units) |
1,000 or more dosage units, or equivalent quantity, but less than 5,000 dosage units, or equivalent quantity |
Class G felony |
$50,000 |
|
5,000 or more dosage units, or equivalent quantity, but less than 10,000 dosage units, or equivalent quantity |
Class F felony |
$100,000 |
|
|
10,000 or more dosage units, or equivalent quantity |
Class D felony |
$250,000 |
|
|
Cocaine (or any salt, isomer, salts of isomers, compound, derivative, or preparation thereof, or any coca leaves and any salt, isomer, salts of isomers, compound, derivative, or preparation of coca leaves, and any salt, isomer, salts of isomers, compound, derivative or preparation thereof which is chemically equivalent or identical with any of these substances) |
28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams |
Class G felony |
$50,000 |
|
200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams |
Class F felony |
$100,000 |
|
|
400 grams or more |
Class D felony |
$250,000 |
|
|
Methamphetamine |
28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams |
Class F felony |
$50,000 |
|
200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams |
Class E felony |
$100,000 |
|
|
400 grams or more |
Class C felony |
$250,000 |
|
|
Amphetamine |
28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams |
Class H felony |
$5,000 |
|
200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams |
Class G felony |
$25,000 |
|
|
400 grams or more |
Class E felony |
$100,000 |
|
|
3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) |
28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams |
Class F felony |
$50,000 |
|
200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams |
Class E felony |
$100,000 |
|
|
400 grams or more |
Class C felony |
$250,000 |
|
|
Mephedrone |
28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams |
Class F felony |
$50,000 |
|
200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams |
Class E felony |
$100,000 |
|
|
400 grams or more |
Class C felony |
$250,000 |
|
|
Heroin, opium, opiate, or any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of opium or opiate (except apomorphine, nalbuphine, analoxone and naltrexone and their respective salts), or any mixture containing such substance |
4 grams or more, but less than 14 grams |
Class F felony |
$50,000 |
|
14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams |
Class E felony |
$100,000 |
|
|
28 grams or more |
Class C felony |
$500,000 |
|
|
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) |
100 or more dosage units, or equivalent quantity, but less than 500 dosage units, or equivalent quantity |
Class G felony |
$25,000 |
|
500 or more dosage units, or equivalent quantity, but less than 1,000 dosage units, or equivalent quantity |
Class F felony |
$50,000 |
|
|
1,000 or more dosage units, or equivalent quantity |
Class D felony |
$200,000 |
|
|
3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasty, or Molly), or respective salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, or any mixture containing such substances, |
100 or more tablets, capsules, or other dosage units, but less than 500 tablets, capsules, or other dosage units |
Class G felony |
$25,000 |
|
500 or more tablets, capsules, or other dosage units, but less than 1,000 tablets, capsules, or other dosage units |
Class F felony |
$50,000 |
|
|
1,000 or more tablets, capsules, or other dosage units |
Class D felony |
$250,000 |
Drug Trafficking Penalties in Raleigh
Drug trafficking convictions are not subject to the same penalties as the North Carolina Structured Sentencing Act. Alleged offenders instead face a steeper range of sentences, depending on the felony classifications of their alleged offenses:
- Class H Felony — Minimum term of 25 months up to 39 months in state prison;
- Class G Felony — Minimum term of 35 months up to 51 months in state prison;
- Class F Felony — Minimum term of 70 months up to 93 months in state prison;
- Class E Felony — Minimum term of 90 months up to 120 months in state prison;
- Class D Felony — Minimum term of 175 months up to 222 months in state prison; or
- Class C Felony — Minimum term of 225 months up to 282 months in state prison.
North Carolina General Statute § 90-95(h)(5) does provide that a sentencing judge can reduce a fine, impose a prison term less than the applicable minimum prison, or suspend the prison term imposed and place a person on probation if an alleged offender has, to the best of that person’s knowledge, provided substantial assistance in the identification, arrest, or conviction of any accomplices, accessories, co-conspirators, or principals.
Alleged offenders should not provide any information to law enforcement without first speaking to a criminal defense lawyer who can ensure that a prosecutor will be willing to reduce or dismiss criminal charges in exchange for such information. People who disclose sensitive information can possibly expose themselves to substantial safety risks, and prosecutors may consider certain information that they deem unhelpful to not constitute substantial assistance.
North Carolina Drug Trafficking Resources
North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) | State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) —
The SBI assists local law enforcement with criminal investigations but has original jurisdiction in drug investigations in North Carolina. On this website, you can learn more about the SBI, including its district offices, uniform crime reports, and unsolved crimes. You can also find various forms and documents.
Capital District
1705 Tryon Park Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 779-8188
Speak to a Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyer in Raleigh Today
Were you arrested or do you believe that you might be under investigation for an alleged drug trafficking offense? You should not say anything to authorities until you have legal representation. Contact the Coolidge Law Firm right now.
Raleigh criminal defense attorney David Coolidge and his associates represent clients all over Wake County, including Cary, Garner, Morrisville, Raleigh, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon as well as students at such local colleges as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), North Carolina State University (NCSU) Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech), and William Peace University. You can have our lawyer provide a complete evaluation of your case when you call (919) 239-8448 or submit an online contact form to receive a free, confidential consultation.
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