Phoenix Drug Trafficking Attorneys

Accused of Trafficking, Transporting, or Smuggling Drugs?

Of all possible drug crimes in the United States, trafficking is one of the most common.

In fact, drug trafficking is often combined with offenses such as possession and manufacturing. The reason for this is because drug trafficking is any crime associated with participation in an illegal drug network.

Therefore, if a person is in possession of any type of illegal substance because they are involved in the drug trade, they could be charged with trafficking, as well as possession with intent to distribute.

Need an attorney for drug trafficking charges in Phoenix? Call MayesTelles today. We are a powerful legal team with extensive experience defending all types of state and federal drug charges. When you are facing years behind bars, you must act fast to secure the best defense representation you can find.

Get in touch with our Phoenix drug trafficking lawyers at MayesTelles PLLC as soon as possible. Call us at (602) 428-7104 or contact us online.

Drug Trafficking Laws in Arizona

According to the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) Title 13, §§13-3402 through 13-3408 respectively, trafficking an illegal substance in Arizona can range from a Class 6 to Class 2 felony, depending on the type of drug.

The highest possible prison sentence for all types of drugs is a 10-year term.

Fines can vary, however. Marijuana trafficking penalties could result in a $750 fine. Prescription drugs or dangerous drugs could incur a $1,000 fine, and narcotic drugs could result in a fine of $2,000.

Such prison terms and high fines could cause severe damage to a person's financial stability, not to mention ruin their chances of future success. This could happen to you if you don't fight these charges with the aid of a Phoenix drug trafficking attorney, so call MayesTelles today.

Drug importation & Transportation

Much of the illegal substances being circulated in the United States today have been imported from another country. Since Arizona has such a high rate of importation across the border, severe penalties are listed in the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) to deter such offenses.

When it comes to drug importation and transportation, penalties are different for each type of illegal substance in question, and also for the amount being imported.

• Marijuana – less than two pounds, Class 3 felony (A.R.S. § 13-3405)
• Marijuana – two pounds or more, Class 2 felony (A.R.S. § 13-3405)
• Narcotic drugs – any amount, Class 2 felony (A.R.S. § 13-3408)
• Dangerous drugs – any amount, Class 2 felony (A.R.S. § 13-3407)

It is important to note that drug importation or transportation is committed when a person imports drugs across state lines, both from out-of-country or from another state.

It is imperative that you seek the help of a knowledgeable attorney if you have been arrested for drug trafficking in Phoenix contact Attorney J. Blake Mayes today for a consultation.

Drug Smuggling Offenses

Smuggling is one type of illegal importation or exportation. This crime involves secretly moving goods over country borders illegally. It is a specific type of trafficking crime that holds severe penalties.

Phoenix is a part of what is called the Arizona High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), which is a major arrival zone for massive quantities of marijuana, methamphetamines, and to a lesser extent, cocaine and heroin entering the United States from Mexico.

Arizona has been engaged in an all-out battle against Mexican drug cartels for years, primarily in the Nogales corridor, which is known for being the most active corridor for marijuana smuggling activity into and all throughout Arizona.

Arizona's vast stretches of remote and sparsely populated desert makes it difficult for law enforcement to patrol, and smugglers are known for carrying backpacks with up to 100 pounds of marijuana across the Arizona-Mexico border.

What Are the Penalties for Drug Smuggling?

Under Title 13, Chapter 34 of Arizona's Revised Statutes, drug smuggling can be charged as "transportation." Depending on whether the drug is marijuana, a narcotic, or a dangerous drug, and depending on the amount, this crime can be prosecuted as a Class 2 or Class 3 felony offense. You could be facing years or decades in prison and face fines as high as $500,000 for the harshest of offenses.

• The penalties for a Class 2 felony include 3 to 12.5 years in prison and the possibility of fines, mandatory drug testing, and community service.
• The penalties for a Class 3 felony include 2 to 8.75 years in prison and the possibility of fines, mandatory drug testing, and community service.

If the amount of drugs smuggled into Arizona was a particularly large quantity, the offender could face federal drug trafficking charges, which involve years in prison and hefty fines.

Possible Defenses to Drug Smuggling Charges

In order to be charged with smuggling, law enforcement must have had reasonable cause to search you and your property. Your constitutional rights protect you from unreasonable search and seizure, so if that was the case, your charges may be dropped. Any violation of rules by the police or law enforcement may lead to invalid evidence.

Some common defenses to smuggling charges include:

• There was not probable cause for the search
• The police did not obtain a warrant before conducting a search
• You were in the wrong place at the wrong time
• You did not have the intent to smuggle drugs
• You were not aware that you were involved in a drug smuggling activity

Oftentimes, drug traffickers use innocent people to smuggle drugs into the country without them even knowing. Other times, individuals happen to be in the wrong place when the police raid a smuggling activity and just assume everyone is involved.

Whether you are facing transportation or federal drug trafficking charges, you need a strong defense attorney now more than ever before. If you are not a U.S. citizen, a conviction for drug smuggling may lead to deportation and could forever bar you from becoming a U.S. citizen.

Call MayesTelles 24/7 for a Free Consultation

By retaining an attorney from our firm, you could have the benefits of a former prosecutor on your side. Attorney J. Blake Mayes has experience as a former county prosecutor, allowing him to have insight into the thoughts and actions of your opponent.

We are committed to obtaining the best possible result for each client. If you have been arrested, contact us by calling (602) 428-7104 for your free consultation.