Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking in Nevada is generally defined as the manufacture, delivery, sale or importation of illegal drugs across state or national borders, or throughout the state. In addition to Nevada criminal drug charges, this offense can result in federal drug charges. Although both Nevada state and federal drug trafficking charges can result in serious penalties and repercussions, federal charges can lead to lengthier prison sentences and steeper fines. 

Controlled substances commonly trafficked in Las Vegas can include illegal drugs, street drugs, chemicals, manmade substances and prescription pills, such as:

• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Crack
• LSD
• GHB
• Oxycontin
• Hydrocdone
• Vicodin
• Opium
• Opiates
• Codeine
• Ecstasy
• Methamphetamines
• Morphine

Las Vegas Drug Trafficking Lawyer

If you have been charged with drug trafficking in Las Vegas, or any of the surrounding areas in Nevada, including Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Mesquite, Laughlin, Paradise, Spring Valley, Sunrise Manor, Enterprise, Winchester, Whitney or Summerlin South, contact the Law Office of Joel M. Mann. Joel Mann is an experienced drug defense attorney in Las Vegas who will make every effort to help you avoid the most serious penalties and repercussions to your alleged offense. Call the Law Office of Joel M. Mann at (702) 474-6266 to schedule a free consultation about your alleged drug trafficking charges.

Drug Trafficking in Las Vegas

According to NRS 453.3385, an individual can be charged with trafficking in schedule I controlled substances if they knowingly or intentionally sell, manufacture, deliver or bring into Nevada any schedule I controlled substances, or if they are knowingly in actual or constructive possession of any schedule I substances or any mixture of these substances.

As defined in NRS § 453.3395, an individual can be charged with trafficking in schedule II controlled substances if they knowingly or intentionally sell, manufacture, deliver or bring into Nevada any schedule II controlled substances, or if they are knowingly in actual or constructive possession of any schedule II substances or any mixture of these substances.

There is no provision under Nevada law for trafficking in Schedule III, IV or V substances, so anyone who sells, manufactures or delivers any substances in these schedules would not be charged with trafficking in Nevada, but instead with another offense, such as possession of a controlled substance, manufacture of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, or sale of a controlled substance.

Las Vegas Penalties for Drug Trafficking

The penalties for drug trafficking in Las Vegas can vary depending on a number of factors, including the schedule the substance is categorized in and the amount of substance that was allegedly trafficked. Most trafficking offenses in Nevada require the alleged offender to serve a mandatory minimum prison sentence before they can receive parole. The statutory penalties for drug trafficking in Nevada are as follows:

• A conviction for trafficking a schedule I substance weighing at least four grams, but less than 14 grams can result in a conviction for a category B felony, which is punishable by one to six years in prison and/or a fine up to $50,000.

• A conviction for trafficking a schedule I substance weighing at least 14 grams, but less than 28 grams can result in a conviction for a category B felony, which is punishable by two to 15 years in prison and/or a fine up to $100,000.

• A conviction for trafficking a schedule I substance weighing 28 grams or more can result in a conviction for a category A felony, which is punishable by 25 years to life in prison and/or a fine up to $500,000.

• A conviction for trafficking a schedule II substance weighing at least 28 grams, but less than 200 grams can result in a conviction for a category C felony, which is punishable by one to five years in prison and/or a fine up to $50,000.

• A conviction for trafficking a schedule II substance weighing at least 200 grams, but less than 400 grams can result in a conviction for a category B felony, which is punishable by two to ten years in prison and/or a fine up to $100,000.

• A conviction for trafficking a schedule II substance weighing 400 grams or more can result in a conviction for a category A felony, which is punishable by 15 years to life in prison and/or a fine up to $250,000.

Federal Drug Schedule and Drug Trafficking Penalties

According to  21 U.S.C. §§ 807 et seq., it is a federal offense to manufacture, import, distribute or traffic controlled substances with the intent to sell the controlled substances either across state borders, throughout the state or from a foreign country into Nevada.

The federal Controlled Substances Act classifies many substances drugs into different schedules, ranging from the most serious drugs with the greatest likelihood of abuse in Schedule I to the least serious substances with hardly any potential for abuse 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.

Federal drug trafficking penalties can vary depending on which schedule the controlled substance falls into, whether the alleged offender had any previous drug convictions, whether death or serious bodily injury resulted from the commission of the offense, and the amount of the substance trafficked.  For example, an individual who has no prior drug convictions could face ten years to life in prison, or if the alleged offender has two or more prior convictions, they could face life imprisonment without parole. Additionally, an individual who is convicted of a federal drug trafficking offense could face a fine up to $8,000,000.

Law Office of Joel M. Mann | Las Vegas Drug Trafficking Attorney

If you have been arrested and charged with drug trafficking in Clark County and the surrounding areas in South Nevada, contact the Law Office of Joel M. Mann to discuss the facts of your particular situation. Joel Mann is an experienced drug defense attorney in Las Vegas who will aggressively fight the allegations against you and make every effort to help you achieve the best possible outcome in your situation. Contact the Law Office of Joel M. Mann at (702) 474-6266 for a free consultation about your drug crime allegations in Las Vegas.