Trafficking illegal drugs is a lucrative form of criminal business, which sees an increase in members every year. Federal agencies devote as much resources as possible to conduct drug conspiracy investigations and harshly charge those accused of being part of the drug ring. But many may wonder whether charges vary on a person’s alleged role in the conspiracy.
Drug conspiracy + the person’s role = two separate charges
Drug conspiracy is a separate charge from the act each person agrees to commit, whether manufacturing, selling, transporting or delivering the illegal drug. Hence, the prosecutor commonly charges case defendants with drug conspiracy on top of separate charges depending on their role.
Therefore, persons found guilty of drug conspiracy can face at least five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000,000. This is on top of penalties in case of conviction based on their agreed act, such as possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute, manufacturing controlled substances and distributing controlled substances.
Note that penalties will also vary depending on the kind and quantity of illegal drugs involved in the conspiracy.
Facing federal drug crime charges with strong defense
Drug charges on a federal level are different and harsher than those heard in the state system. With back-to-back drug charges, the situation can be intimidating and worrisome for a defendant. It is crucial to have an experienced criminal defense counsel to handle such complex drug crime cases, review the facts and circumstances, and develop defenses to protect the defendant’s rights and future.
