Fentanyl Trafficking In Florida
For years now, the bête noire of Florida law enforcement has been fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, reputed to have around 50 times the strength of heroin, and it has become more and more popular in recent years, playing a role in a higher number of overdoses each year since 2020. Possession of fentanyl is taken very seriously, and trafficking in fentanyl is punished with harsh consequences. If you have been charged with either, it is crucial you enlist an attorney ASAP.
Seized At Ports Of Entry
Data requested via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by the American Immigration Council (AIC) shows that between 2018 and 2024, over 90 percent of all fentanyl seizures were performed at ports of entry, meaning airports, boat terminals, and vehicle border crossings. Most of those arrested for trafficking in fentanyl at southern border crossings were U.S. citizens as well – out of 127 people whose arrest for fentanyl trafficking was reported in a Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) press release, 99 percent of them were either native-born or naturalized U.S. citizens.
In Florida, the statistical trends are similar – but Florida has some of the toughest drug laws in the United States, so those convicted of fentanyl trafficking are likely to face harsher penalties than they might elsewhere. Florida still has mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug-related offenses, meaning that a person convicted of this type of crime will have to service a certain amount of prison time before even being considered for release.
The Amount Matters
The relevant criminal law in Florida states that anyone who knowingly “sells, purchases, manufactures, [or] delivers” more than 4 grams of fentanyl or its analogues will result in being charged with the first-degree felony of trafficking in fentanyl. It is important to note that the law specifies this activity must be done ‘knowingly’ – historically, it was possible for a person to be charged with trafficking solely due to the amount of a drug they had on their person, regardless of knowledge or intention.
As with most drug crimes in Florida, the length of a prison sentence (and the amount of fines payable) increases with the amount of the substance the person has in their possession or control. For example, if one is found with between 4 and 14 grams of fentanyl, they face a minimum of seven years in prison, while if one is found with between 14.01 and 28 grams, the minimum sentence is 20 years. If you are facing this type of charge, it is imperative to have an experienced attorney on your side as you go through the legal process.
Contact A West Palm Beach Drug Trafficking Attorney
Drug trafficking is seen as a crime against society, and it is prosecuted aggressively in Florida because of it. A West Palm Beach drug trafficking attorney from Perlet & Shiner, P.A. can help guide you through the legal process while protecting your rights. Contact our office today to speak to an attorney.
Source:
americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/fentanyl-smuggling/
