Drug trafficking in North Carolina carries some of the harshest penalties of any crime in the state. Each allegation, if convicted, carries with it severe mandatory minimum prison sentences and high mandatory fines. You don’t have to be part of a drug cartel or criminal organization to be convicted of drug trafficking. All that North Carolina requires is that you are knowingly possessing the alleged substance and that substance meets a certain weight amount. Below you will find the table that law enforcement officers, district attorneys, and Courts use to assess these cases.
| Drug | Amount | Class | Mandatory Minimum Sentence (Months) | Mandatory Fine |
| Marijuana | In excess of 10 lbs–49 lbs | H | 25 | $5,000 |
| 50–1,999 lbs | G | 35 | $25,000 | |
| 2,000–9,999 lbs
|
F | 70 | $50,000 | |
| 10,000 or more lbs | D | 175 | $200,000 | |
| Methaqualone | 1,000–4,999 dosage units | G | 35 | $25,000 |
| 5,000–9,999 | F | 70 | $50,000 | |
| 10,000 or more | D | 175 | $200,000 | |
| Cocaine | 28–199 grams | G | 35 | $50,000 |
| 200–399 grams | F | 70 | $100,000 | |
| 400 or more grams | D | 175 | $250,000 | |
| Methamphetamine | 28-199 grams | F | 70 | $50,000 |
| 200–399 grams | E | 90 | $100,000 | |
| 400 or more grams | C | 225 | $250,000 | |
| Amphetamine | 28-199 grams | H | 25 | $5,000 |
| 200–399 grams | G | 35 | $25,000 | |
| 400 or more grams | E | 90 | $100,000 | |
| Opium or Heroin | 4-13 grams | F | 70 | $50,000 |
| 14-27 grams | E | 90 | $100,000 | |
| 28 or more grams | C | 225 | $500,000 | |
| LSD | 100-499 units | G | 35 | $25,000 |
| 500-999 units | F | 70 | $50,000 | |
| 1,000 or more units | D | 175 | $200,000 | |
| MDA/MDMA | 100–499 units/28–199 grams | G | 35 | $25,000 |
| 500–999 units/200–399 grams | F | 70 | $50,000 | |
| 1,000 units/400 grams, or more | D | 175 | $250,000 | |
| MDPV | 28-199 grams | F | 70 | $50,000 |
| 200–399 grams | E | 90 | $100,000 | |
| 400 or more grams | C | 225 | $250,000 | |
| Mephedrone | 28-199 grams | F | 70 | $50,000 |
| 200–399 grams | E | 90 | $100,000 | |
| 400 or more grams | C | 225 | $250,000 | |
| Synthetic Cannabinoids | In excess of 50–249 dosage units** | H | 25 | $5,000 |
| 250–1,249 units | G | 35 | $25,000 | |
| 1,250–3,749 units | F | 70 | $50,000 | |
| 3,750 or more | D | 175 | $200,000 | |
| **A “dosage unit” is 3 grams of synthetic cannabinoid or any mixture containing such substance. | ||||
What Can a Drug Trafficking Attorney do for You?
As you can see, the penalties are harsh. An experienced drug trafficking attorney can assist you either at trial, getting the charge reduced, or even getting the charge dismissed. Here are a few examples of how:
- The search was unlawful
- The stop and seizure of your person or car was unlawful
- The substance is not the substance alleged
- The substance was not knowingly possessed
- Your consent to search was under duress
- The law enforcement officer did not properly apply for or obtained the search warrant incorrectly
- Other mitigating factors (i.e. drug and alcohol treatment, military service, clean record)
Consult with an Experienced Drug Trafficking Attorney
At Greenwood Law, our criminal defense attorneys are prepared to help you fight any and all charges. If you or someone close to you has been charged with a drug trafficking crime or any other drug related charge please contact us to ensure your rights are protected. Please call us right away at 336-661-8788 or contact us today for a free initial consultation.