Drug trafficking and production are among the most severely penalized offenses in Nevada. Our Las Vegas drug trafficking defense attorney at the Spartacus Law Firm can effectively defend your case, safeguard your rights, and work to preserve your freedoms. According to our legal framework, everyone in the United States is considered innocent until proven guilty. Our
drug crime attorney has extensive experience in Nevada's criminal justice system. We know the most frequent methods that the prosecution may employ, and we can use this knowledge to your advantage. Contact the Spartacus Law Firm today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
According to
NRS 453.3385, drug trafficking is defined as knowingly or intentionally selling, manufacturing, or bringing controlled substances into Nevada. Any schedule I drug or schedule II drugs other than
marijuana charges or being in actual or constructive possession of four grams or more of a schedule I or schedule II drugs.
Schedule I drugs, such as heroin, LSD, mescaline, MDMA (ecstasy), and methaqualone, have a high potential for abuse with no proven medical use. Schedule II drugs include methamphetamine, oxycodone, methadone, Dilaudid, and Vicodin. The sentence for drug trafficking depends on the amount of schedule I and schedule II substances involved.
The Nevada drug trafficking law also covers certain club drugs, such as flunitrazepam (also known as Rohypnol, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), or any substance for which flunitrazepam or gamma-hydroxybutyrate is an immediate precursor) and ketamine. Depending on the quantities of drugs involved, a conviction for trafficking these controlled substances can result in several years in prison and hefty fines.
If you're facing drug trafficking charges in Las Vegas, Travis County, or the state of Nevada, contact the Spartacus Law Firm right away. Our experienced Las Vegas drug trafficking defense attorney will make every effort to help you avoid the most serious penalties related to your alleged offense. Controlled substances commonly trafficked in Las Vegas can include illegal drugs, street drugs, chemicals, man-made substances, and prescription pills, such as:
• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Crack
• LSD
• GHB
• Oxycontin
• Hydrocodone
• Vicodin
• Opium
• Opiates
• Codeine
• Ecstasy
• Methamphetamines
• Morphine
Nevada's drug laws have been completely revised. The new regulations additionally include significant changes in potential drug penalties. In addition, the revised legislation establishes distinct sentences for various weight thresholds of various controlled substances. Prior drug laws had varying sentencing requirements for schedule I and II controlled substances, whereas the penalties are now identical for both types of drugs. The following are the new weight levels and possible punishments under the amended legislation:
• A conviction for trafficking 100 grams or more but less than 400 grams of these drugs is a Category B felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison.
• A conviction for trafficking more than 400 grams of these drugs is a Level A felony. Depending on the circumstances of the case, a Category A trafficking conviction may result in 10 years to life imprisonment or 25 years imprisonment with parole eligibility after 10 years.
• A person who sells 100 grams or more but less than 400 grams of one kind of illegal drug is guilty of a Category B felony and faces 2 to 20 years in jail.
• A conviction for trafficking more than 400 grams of either drug is a Class A felony, punishable by up to life imprisonment or 25 years in prison with parole eligibility after 10 years.
• A conviction for trafficking 50 pounds or more but less than 1,000 pounds of marijuana is a Category C felony. It can result in a fine of up to $25,000 if convicted of this crime.
• A conviction for trafficking between 1,000 and 5,000 pounds of marijuana is a Category B felony, punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. The same penalties apply if the amount of marijuana concentrate is between 20 and 100 pounds.
• Finally, a charge for trafficking more than 5,000 pounds of cannabis or more than 100 pounds of marijuana concentrate is a Category A felony. The penalties include 15 years or life in prison, with eligibility for parole beginning after five years, as well as a fine of up to $200,000.
It is a federal felony to produce, import, distribute, or traffic controlled substances with the objective of selling them in Nevada with the intention of trafficking across state borders, throughout the state, or from another nation. The federal Controlled Substances Act divides many substances into different schedules, ranging from the most severe drugs with the highest potential for abuse in schedule I to the least serious products in schedule V.
• Schedule I – This schedule contains controlled substances that have a high potential for abuse and have no known or accepted medical purposes.
• Schedule II – This schedule contains substances that have a high potential for abuse, but have commonly used or accepted medical applications, with certain restrictions.
• Schedule III – The substances in this schedule have less potential for abuse than schedule I or II substances, and are commonly used for medical purposes in the United States.
• Schedule IV – This schedule contains controlled substances with a lower potential for abuse than substances in schedule III, and are commonly used for medical purposes.
• Schedule V – The substances in this schedule have the least potential for abuse, and are commonly used for medical uses in the United States.
Drug trafficking penalties in Nevada can differ significantly depending on the schedule of the controlled substance, whether or not the accused person has any prior drug convictions, whether death or significant bodily harm resulted from the offense, and how much was trafficked. In certain circumstances, drug offenders who have prior
felony convictions can face penalties that include ten years in prison and/or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Furthermore, an individual who is convicted of a federal drug trafficking offense may face fines of up to $8 million.
