Drug Trafficking Crimes in Pinellas County, FL
In Florida, the punishments for drug trafficking crimes are listed in 893.135, F.S.
Drug trafficking consists of knowingly selling, purchasing, manufacturing, delivering, or bringing or importing drugs into Florida, or knowingly being in actual or constructive possession of certain Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substances in a statutorily-specified quantity.
Not all controlled substances are covered by Florida’s drug trafficking laws. Instead, the statute applies to a limited number of controlled substances.
Most drug trafficking offenses are classified as first-degree felonies punishable by up to 30 years in state prison, a fine of up to $10,000, and a mandatory minimum imprisonment term determined by the substance’s weight or quantity.
For example, trafficking in 28 to 200 grams of cocaine is classified as a first degree felony punishable by a 3-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment and a mandatory fine of $50,000.10
Trafficking in 200 to 400 grams of cocaine is classified as a first degree felony punishable by a 7-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment and a mandatory fine of $100,000.
Attorney for Drug Trafficking in Pinellas County, FL
If you were charged with drug trafficking in Pinellas County, FL, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm. We fight serious drug cases at the Criminal Justice Center courthouse in Clearwater, FL.
During the consultation with an attorney, we can explain the charges pending against you, the potential punishments, and the best defenses to fight the charges.
We are familiar with the standard operating procedures used by local law enforcement agencies, including the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Petersburg Police Department, and the Clearwater Police Department. Read more about how drug crimes are prosecuted in Pinellas County, FL.
Visit our office at 14010 Roosevelt Blvd #701, Clearwater, FL 33762. Call 727-210-7004.
Penalties for Trafficking Crimes in Florida
Florida’s statutory scheme sets the minimum and maximum penalties that must be imposed after a conviction with limited expectations. Those penalties for drug trafficking crimes include the following:
Trafficking in Oxycodone: Mandatory Minimum Sentence
- 4 grams or more, but less than 14 grams
(offense dates after 7/01/14): 7 grams or more, but less than 14 grams
3 years + $50,000 fine
(after 7/01/14): 3 years + $50,000 fine - 14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams
(offense dates after 7/01/14): 14 grams or more, but less than 25 grams
15 years + $100,000 fine
(after 7/01/14): 7 years + $100,000 fine - 28 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms
(offense dates after 7/01/14): 25 grams or more, but less than 100 grams
25 years + $500,000 fine
(after 7/01/14): 15 years + $500,000 fine
(offense dates after 7/01/14): 100 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms
(after 7/01/14): 25 years + $750,000 fine
Trafficking in Cocaine: Mandatory Minimum Sentence
- 28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams
3 years + $50,000 fine - 200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams
7 years + $100,000 fine - 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms
15 years + $250,000 fine
Trafficking in MDMA (Ecstasy): Mandatory Minimum Sentence
- 10 grams or more, but less than 200 grams
3 years + $50,000 fine - 200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams
7 years + $100,000 fine - 400 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms
15 years + $250,000 fine
Trafficking in Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB): Mandatory Minimum Sentence
- 1 kilogram or more, but less than 5 kilograms
3 years + $50,000 fine - 5 kilograms or more, but less than 10 kilograms
7 years + $100,000 fine - 10 kilograms or more, but less than 150 kilograms
15 years + $250,000 fine
Trafficking in Marijuana: Mandatory Minimum Sentence
- In excess of 25 pounds, but less than 2,000 pounds, or 300 or more marijuana plants, but not more than 2,000 marijuana plants
3 years + $25,000 fine - 2,000 pounds or more, but less than 10,000 pounds, or 2,000 or more marijuana plants, but not more than 10,000 marijuana plants
7 years + $50,000 fine - 10,000 pounds or more, or 10,000 or more marijuana plants
15 years + $200,000 fine
Trafficking in Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD): Mandatory Minimum Sentence
- 1 gram or more, but less than 5 grams
3 years + $50,000 fine - 5 grams or more, but less than 7 grams
7 years + $100,000 fine - 7 grams or more
15 years + $500,000 fine
Trafficking in Heroin: Mandatory Minimum Sentence
- 4 grams or more, but less than 14 grams
3 years + $50,000 fine - 14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams
15 years + $100,000 fine - 28 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms
25 years + $500,000 fine - 30 kilograms or more
Life imprisonment
Trafficking in Methamphetamine: Mandatory Minimum Sentence
- 14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams
3 years + $50,000 fine - .28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams
7 years + $100,000 fine - 200 grams or more
15 years + $250,000 fine
Trafficking in Hydrocodone: Mandatory Minimum Sentence
- 4 grams or more, but less than 14 grams
(offense dates after 7/01/14): 14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams
3 years + $50,000 fine
(after 7/01/14): 3 years + $50,000 fine - 14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams
(offense dates after 7/01/14): 28 grams or more, but less than 50 grams
15 years + $100,000 fine
(after 7/01/14): 7 years + $100,000 fine - 28 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms
(offense dates after 7/01/14): 50 grams or more, but less than 200 grams
25 years + $500,000 fine
(after 7/01/14): 15 years + $500,000 fine
(offense dates after 7/01/14): 200 grams or more, but less than 30 kilograms
(after 7/01/14): 25 years + $750,000 fine
Additional Resources
Drug Trafficking Charges in Pinellas County – Visit the website of the Department of Justice’s U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, to find out more about the unsealing of an indictment charging various residents of Pinellas County, FL, with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. The press release explains the possible minimum mandatory sentence that can be imposed for those charges and the notice of the intention to forfeit any assets alleged to be traceable to the proceeds of the offense. The case involves an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation to identify and disrupt the highest-level criminal drug organizations.
Narcotics Investigations by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office – Visit the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office’s website (PCSO) to learn more about narcotics investigations for the possession, sale, delivery, or trafficking of controlled substances. The Pinellas County, FL sheriff’s office has teamed up with the Pinellas Narcotics Overdose Prevention & Education (NOPE), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Operation PAR, and Eckerd Community Alternatives. Find out how PCSO encourages its residents to report crime tips.
Vice Narcotics Investigations in Pinellas Park – Visit the website of the Vice and Narcotic Section of the Pinellas Park Police Department tasked with conducting covert investigations of crimes related to drugs and racketeering, including the street-level drug trade, mid-level distribution, and major drug trafficking.
This article was last updated on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
