Drug Crimes for Fentanyl

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid… similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a prescription drug that is also used and made illegally.”

Because so many accidental drug overdoses involve synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, law enforcement has shifted its focus to crimes involving fentanyl.

Fentanyl and related substances, including alfentanil, carfentanil, and sufentanil, are classified as Schedule (2)(b) controlled substances.

Under Section 893.13, F.S., crimes involving fentanyl and other Schedule (2)(b) controlled substances include:

• possessing less than 10 grams (a third degree felony);
• distributing fentanyl, except through an authorized order form (a third degree felony);
• possessing 10 grams or more of the substance (a first degree felony);
• bringing or importing the substance into Florida (a second degree felony);
• purchasing or possessing the substance with intent to purchase (a second degree felony); and
• selling, manufacturing, or delivering the substance, or possessing the substance with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver (a second degree felony).

Trafficking in fentanyl, a fentanyl derivative, or a mixture containing a fentanyl derivative or analog is a first degree felony.

The following penalties apply depending on the quantity of fentanyl involved in the drug trafficking violation:

• four (4) grams or more, but less than fourteen (14) grams has a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of seven (7) years and a fine of $50,000;
• fourteen (14) grams or more, but less than twenty-eigth (28) grams has a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years and a fine of $100,000; and
• twenty-eight (28) grams or more has a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five (25) years and a $500,000 fine.

Read more about crimes for trafficking in fentanyl.

Attorney for Fentanyl Crimes in Florida

If you were charged with a crime involving the possession of fentanyl, then contact an experienced attorney at Sammis Law Firm.

We can help you fight the charges aggressively.

During the initial consultation, we can discuss the pending charges, the typical penalties, and the best ways to avoid those penalties.

Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges treat any crime involving fentanyl differently from other controlled substances.

You need an attorney to help you resolve your pending charges with the best possible result. Let us put our experience to work for you.

Call 813-250-0500.

This article was last updated on Thursday, April 27, 2023.