In mid-September, federal prosecutors charged eight additional defendants with drug trafficking offenses. Drug trafficking is the crime of selling, transporting or illegally importing unlawful controlled substances, such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana or other illegal drugs. In Florida, Federal prosecutors are aggressively pursuing charges against the suspects. The federal investigators may bring more charges in the coming weeks.
Federal drug charges are extremely serious. If you have been charged with a federal drug crime, the experienced litigators at Moses & Rooth can help. Contact the Orlando federal criminal defense attorneys today to schedule your initial consultation.
Federal Investigators Have Been Investigating a Drug Ring in North Central Florida
The federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) have been investigating a drug ring in north-central Florida for the last two years. The drug ring in question is allegedly responsible for distributing MDMA, cocaine, and methamphetamine throughout the Florida panhandle. The prosecutors returned the original indictment in May. The recent indictment of eight more suspects is a continuation of the original indictment. The suspects could face serious penalties, including life imprisonment and fines up to $20 million.
Federal Drug Crimes Defense Attorneys
The recent arrests of multiple suspects for drug possession and trafficking demonstrate law enforcement’s focus on the war on drugs. Prosecutions for federal drug crimes make up the majority of criminal prosecutions in the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are actively involved in arresting suspects for drug trafficking.
The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is a federal drug policy that used to regulate the distribution and manufacture of certain controlled substances. The CSA classifies drugs into five different schedules based on their potential for abuse. The schedules are as follows:
- Schedule I: Marijuana, ecstasy, LSD, and heroin
- Schedule II: Methamphetamine, morphine, cocaine, oxycodone, Dexedrine, fentanyl, Vicodin, and Ritalin
- Schedule III: Ketamine, Vicodin, and anabolic steroids
- Schedule IV: Tramadol, Valium, and Ambien
- Schedule V: Lyrica and cough suppressants
Possession of an Illegal Substance
The Controlled Substance Act makes it a crime to possess some types of illegal controlled substances. It also criminalizes the possession of chemicals used to make illegal controlled substances and some accessories to drug use. Federal prosecutors must be able to prove that the defendant did the following beyond a reasonable doubt:
- Knew that the drug in their possession was a controlled substance, and
- Knowingly had possession or control over the controlled substance
Federal prosecutors must prove each element in a drug crime. In many instances, prosecutors do not have the necessary evidence to bring a charge. Our attorneys will find any discrepancies in the prosecutor’s case and use them to defend our clients.
Seeking Legal Help for Your Federal Drug Possession Charge
As federal prosecutors seek to make more drug-related arrests, it is wise to understand federal drug laws. If you are facing a federal drug possession charge, it is essential that you seek help from skilled defense attorneys. Those convicted of federal drug possession crimes face serious consequences. That is why our attorneys fight hard for the rights of our clients throughout the entire process. Contact our Orlando criminal defense law firm today to schedule your free initial consultation.
Andrew Moses
Andrew has been practicing criminal law his entire career. After graduating from law school he began working as an Assistant State Attorney prosecuting cases in Orange and Osceola Counties. During his time as an Assistant State Attorney, Andrew handled all types of cases ranging from misdemeanors to such serious felonies as drug trafficking and armed robbery. His experience as a prosecutor helped him gain perspective of the criminal justice system and how the government established its cases.
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