Criminal Defense Lawyers

Drug Trafficking Nassau Bahamas

What to Do If You’re Facing Drug Trafficking Charges

So you or someone you care about has been arrested for drug trafficking. First off, don’t panic. I know it’s a scary situation, but there are steps you can take to fight the charges and protect your rights. In this article, I’ll break down what you need to know and do if you’re facing drug trafficking charges.

Understand the Charges

Drug trafficking generally means selling, transporting, or illegally importing unlawful controlled substances, such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, or other illegal drugs. The severity of the charges depends on factors like:

• The type and amount of drugs involved
• If the drugs crossed state lines
• If the offense involved violence or weapons
• Your prior criminal history

Under federal law, drug trafficking offenses carry harsh mandatory minimum prison sentences. For example, a first-time trafficking offense involving:

• 1 kg+ of heroin
• 5 kg+ of cocaine
• 1,000 kg+ of marijuana
• 50 g+ of pure meth
• 500 g+ of meth mixture

carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. And the penalties only go up from there.

Hire an Experienced Drug Trafficking Lawyer ASAP

Here’s the deal – you absolutely need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Don’t try to handle this on your own. Find a lawyer who has successfully defended many federal drug cases.When looking for a lawyer, consider:

• How many years of criminal defense experience do they have?
• Have they handled cases similar to yours? What were the outcomes?
• Are they familiar with the federal court where your case is pending?
• Do they have experience negotiating with federal prosecutors?
• Will they keep you informed and promptly return your calls?

The right lawyer will immediately start investigating your case, looking for any holes in the prosecution’s evidence, and developing your best defense strategy. Which brings me to…

Possible Defenses to Drug Trafficking Charges

Every case is different, but some common defenses to drug trafficking charges include:

1. Challenging the legality of the search that led to finding the drugs. If the police violated your 4th Amendment rights, key evidence could get suppressed.
2. Arguing that you didn’t know about the drugs. Maybe you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. If the prosecution can’t prove you knowingly possessed or transported the drugs, that’s a problem for their case.
3. Raising doubt about whether you actually possessed the drugs. Were the drugs really yours or under your control?
4. Negotiating a plea deal. Sometimes it’s in your best interest to plead guilty in exchange for a more lenient sentence. An experienced lawyer will know how to get you the best deal.
5. The “safety valve.” In some cases, you may be able to get out of a mandatory minimum sentence if you have little to no criminal history, didn’t use violence or weapons, and cooperate with the government. A skilled attorney can help you qualify if you’re eligible.

The key is to go on the offense and start poking holes in the prosecution’s case from day one. That’s why having a proactive, aggressive lawyer is so important.

The Road Ahead

I’ll be straight with you – fighting drug trafficking charges is an uphill battle. But you don’t have to go it alone. With the right lawyer in your corner, you can mount a strong defense and work towards the best possible outcome.If you’re facing drug trafficking charges, the most important thing you can do is educate yourself about the law and start building your defense immediately. The sooner you have an experienced drug trafficking lawyer fighting for you, the better your chances.