Like other states, North Carolina takes drug charges very seriously. This is especially true where drug trafficking is concerned. Drug trafficking is a felony, one often accompanied by harsh consequences. If you are under investigation or have been arrested for drug trafficking, it is imperative that you exercise your right to remain silent until you are firmly under the watchful eye of a North Carolina drug trafficking defense lawyer. 

At Ryan Willis Law, PLLC, our goal is always to get the best outcome possible for our clients. Being accused of drug trafficking is scary, but it’s important to remember that you still have rights. In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at how North Carolina defines drug trafficking and the potential penalties you could face if convicted.

What is Drug Trafficking?

Most people mistakenly believe that they can only be charged with drug trafficking if they manufacture and/or sell drugs or transport them across state lines. As it happens, anyone found to be in possession of a large quantity of illegal drugs can be arrested and face drug trafficking charges.

In North Carolina, state law clearly defines what counts as drug trafficking and the penalties that go along with it. The statute makes it unlawful to sell, manufacture, distribute, possess, or deliver any controlled or counterfeit controlled substance.

Drug trafficking laws are intended to discourage large-scale distribution, transportation, or possession of controlled substances. For this reason, the severity of a trafficking charge is largely based on the amount of drugs involved. Unlike smaller drug offenses, a conviction for trafficking in North Carolina is subject to a minimum term of imprisonment.

In North Carolina, drug trafficking laws cover a variety of drug-related offenses, which can involve possessing, transporting, or selling a controlled substance such as cocaine, marijuana, heroin, opioids, methamphetamines, and LSD.

If you have been charged with drug trafficking, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you knowingly and willfully possessed, delivered, or sold a controlled substance. In fact, if the amount of narcotics found in your possession surpasses a predetermined limit, you could still be charged with trafficking, even if they have absolutely no proof that you planned to sell them.

The minimum amounts that qualify as drug trafficking under North Carolina law vary by substance:

• Marijuana: 10 pounds
• Cocaine: 28 grams
• Methamphetamines: 28 grams 
• Ecstasy: 28 grams 
• Heroin or other opioids: 4 grams 
• LSD: 100 units 

These weights represent the lowest level of drug trafficking charges. For example, 10 pounds of marijuana would be prosecuted as a Class H felony, but possession of 50 pounds of marijuana would be prosecuted as the far more serious Class G felony.

Mandatory Minimum Sentences in North Carolina

Those convicted of North Carolina drug trafficking offenses face a mandatory minimum jail sentence ranging anywhere from 25 months to 19 years, depending on the type and quantity of the drug in question. Minimum sentencing guidelines for the four most frequently trafficked drugs in the United States include:

Cocaine

• 28 to 200 grams: Minimum of 35 months imprisonment
• 200 to 400 grams: Minimum of 70 months
• More than 400 grams: Automatic 175-month prison term

Methamphetamine

• 28 to 200 grams: Minimum of 70 months imprisonment
• 200 to 400 grams: Minimum of 90 months
• 400 grams or more: Automatic 225-month prison term

Opium, Opiates, Heroin, and Fentanyl

• 4 to 14 grams: Minimum of 70 months imprisonment
• 14 to 28 grams: Minimum of 90 months
• More than 28 grams: Automatic 225-month prison term

Marijuana

• 10 to 50 pounds: Minimum of 25 months imprisonment
• 50 to 2,000 pounds: Minimum of 35 months
• 2,000 to 10,000 pounds: Minimum of 75 months
• More than 10,000 pounds: 175-month prison term

Common Defenses Against North Carolina Drug Trafficking Charges 

A North Carolina drug trafficking defense lawyer who is experienced with drug trafficking charges, like the lawyers at Ryan Willis Law, PLLC, can thoroughly review your case in order to poke holes in the evidence against you. Our seasoned criminal defense lawyers will represent your best interests during trial and negotiate aggressively on your behalf to get your charges dropped or reduced. 

A drug trafficking arrest can change your life. Fortunately, the right defense can make a world of difference. Don’t wait to ask for help. Contact our North Carolina drug trafficking defense lawyers today at (919) 341-6294 or use our easy contact form to schedule your confidential case review.