D espite the common perception and its depiction in the media, drug trafficking is not reserved for criminal masterminds, armed drug dealers or career criminals. A person does not even have to sell drugs to be accused of breaking Florida’s drug trafficking laws. Trafficking charges in Florida center around whether the weight involved exceeds certain statutory limits. The weight limits differ among different controlled substances.

With each drug there are differing levels of trafficking charges according to the weight of the drug. However, every drug trafficking charge in the State of Florida carries a requirement of a mandatory prison sentence. In addition, individuals charged with trafficking are looking at the possibility of governmental seizure of their homes, vehicles, or cash that law enforcement believes has a connection to the crime charged.

Being charged with drug trafficking can be terrifying, and there is a lot of information that it is important to understand in order to properly defend yourself.

Legal definition of Drug Trafficking in Florida

Drug trafficking is defined in Florida as the intentional sale, purchase, manufacture, delivery, possession or transporting a trafficking amount of a listed drug. The trafficking amount differs with each drug. For example:

  • Cannabis: 25 pounds or 300 plants

  • Cocaine: 28 grams

  • Hydrocodone: 4 grams

  • LSD (acid): 1 gram

  • MDMA (Ecstacy): 10 grams

  • Oxycodone (4 grams)

Possession of these amounts of these drugs are sufficient to give rise to drug trafficking charges in the State of Florida. Keep in mind, that these amounts are the minimums. To justify these charges. As the amounts involved exceed these minimums, the mandatory minimum fines and prison sentences drastically increase. The mandatory minimum consequences for these drug offenses follow:

Florida Cannabis Trafficking Penalties:

  • 25-9,999 pounds or 300 to 1,999 plants 3 years prison; $25,000 fine
  • 2,000 pounds- 9,999 pounds 7 years prison; $50,000 fine
  • Or 2,000 to 9,999 plants
  • 10,000 pounds or more 15 years prison; $200,000 fine
  • Or 10,000 or more plants

Florida Cocaine Trafficking Penalties:

  • 28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams 3 years prison; $50,000 fine
  • 200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams 7 years prison; $100,000 fine
  • 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms 15 years prison; $250,000 fine

Florida Hydrocodone Trafficking Penalties:

  • 4 grams or more, but less than 14 grams 3 years prison; $50,000 fine
  • 14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams 15 years prison; $100,000 fine
  • 28 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms 25 years prison; $500,000 fine

Florida LSD (Acid) Trafficking Penalties:

  • 1 gram or more, but less than 5 grams 3 years prison; $50,000 fine
  • 5 grams or more, but less than 7 grams 7 years prison; $100,000 fine
  • 7 grams or more 15 years prison; $500,000 fine

Florida MDMA (Ecstasy) Trafficking Penalties:

  • 10 grams or more but under 200 grams 3 years prison; $50,000 fine
  • 200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams 7 years prison; $100,000 fine
  • 400 grams or more 15 years prison; $250,000 fine

Florida Oxycodone Trafficking Penalties:

  • 4 grams or more, but less than 14 grams 3 years prison; $50,000 fine
  • 14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams 15 years prison; $100,000 fine
  • 28 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms 25 years prison; $500,000 fine

If you’re subjected to investigation or arrest, contact us for a free case review. Call us today at (305) 322-5617.