Las Vegas Drug Trafficking Attorney

What is Drug Trafficking?

According to the Nevada Drug Trafficking Laws (NRS 453), drug trafficking occurs when a person intentionally sells, manufactures, delivers, or brings illegal drugs into the State of Nevada. It also occurs when a person is in possession of large quantities of Schedule I or II narcotics (drugs). Basically, drug trafficking is

• Selling illegal drugs in Las Vegas and other cities in Nevada
• Possessing a huge amount of illegal drugs in Las Vegas
• Manufacturing illegal drugs in Las Vegas
• Transporting illegal drugs in Las Vegas

Special laws apply to trafficking scheduled I controlled substances such as flunitrazepam, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, and more. The same goes for marijuana.

Las Vegas, Nevada Drug Schedule and Penalties

The penalties for violation of drug laws in Las Vegas are based on the type of drug being trafficked. The state of Nevada has released a schedule as a reference so that people are aware of what drugs fall into each category.

The penalties for drug trafficking are included in the drug schedule. To make it easier for you, here are the most common drugs in Las Vegas and their respective schedules.

Schedule I Drugs:

• PCP
• Heroin
• Ecstacy
• LSD
• Marijuana
• Opiates
• Hallucinogenic

Schedule II Drugs:

• Cocaine
• Oxycontin
• Demerol
• Methamphetamine
• Ritalin

How to Avoid Prison for Drug Trafficking?

Imprisonment is mandatory for a drug trafficking conviction. The good thing is that the defense can request a reduced prison sentence. There is also a chance that the prison sentence could be reduced through early parole if the accused agrees to help the police in their investigation.

The factors that could affect the reduction or suspension of a prison sentence are:

• The nature and extent of the defendant’s assistance;
• The court’s evaluation of the significance and usefulness of the defendant’s assistance;
• The timeline of the defendant’s assistance
• The truthfulness, reliability, and completeness of any information or testimony provided by the defendant; and
• Any danger or injury suffered, or risk of injury to the convicted person or their families resulting from their assistance.

Drug trafficking has the harshest penalties in drug crimes, which is why the help of a Drug Trafficking Lawyer is vital. The prosecutors could reduce the charges depending on the circumstances:

• Drug possession: Considered as the least of all drug crimes, the defendant could even have a chance to get the case dismissed altogether.
• Drug possession with intent to sell: This charge is less serious compared to drug trafficking, with lower prison terms and fines; first-time offenders have a possibility of probation.
• Selling controlled substances: Compared to drug trafficking, selling controlled substances has lesser prison sentences and lower fines. First-time offenders could even result in probation.

Plea Bargain for Drug Trafficking Charge

A plea bargain is one of the surefire ways to reduce imprisonment for drug trafficking charges. This is often used as the last line of defense. The prosecution would offer a greatly reduced imprisonment time in exchange for the pleading guilty of the crime. Here are some cases we can use examples:

The Darlene Eckles Case

Darlene Eckles is living with his drug-dealing brother. She knew of her brother’s drug dealing business and still allowed him to operate in her house. She got arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute. The prosecutors offered a 10-year sentence in exchange for her plea. She did not accept the plea bargain and is now serving a 20-year sentence.

The Roy Lee Clay Case

Roy Lee Clay was the leader of a heroin distribution ring in Baltimore. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin with intent. He rejected the plea bargain for 10 years' imprisonment and is now serving life imprisonment.

The Weldon Angelos Case

Weldon Angelos was a 24-year old father of two in Salt Lake City. He is an aspiring producer who sells marijuana as a sideline. He was caught by the FBI and charged with marijuana distribution and gun possession. The prosecution offered 15 years' imprisonment in exchange for a plea, which he didn’t accept. He was sentenced to 55 years in prison, with no parole.

Defenses Commonly Used in Drug Trafficking Cases

Every trafficking case is different, but there are recurring defense themes that can be effective when carefully developed. In Las Vegas, charges often grow out of traffic stops on I-15, searches of hotel rooms near the Strip, or longer-term investigations by state and federal task forces. A key part of our role is to examine how the investigation started, how the officers handled the stop or search, and whether your constitutional rights were respected at each step.

Depending on the facts, we may challenge whether you actually possessed or controlled the drugs, whether the quantity was weighed correctly, or whether the government can prove that you knew about the drugs and intended to sell or distribute them. In some cases, we can argue that you were merely present, that you were misidentified, or that you were pressured by someone else with greater power in the operation. When negotiating with prosecutors in Clark County courts, a drug trafficking attorney Las Vegas defendants hire can use these weaknesses to seek charge reductions or alternative resolutions that limit long-term damage.

Contact Our Drug Trafficking Attorney in Las Vegas Today

A drug trafficking charge is a life-changing experience. It has terrible consequences, such as ending up spending the rest of your life in prison, having most of your properties confiscated, and losing a lot of money in the process.

Hire one of the best drug trafficking lawyers in Las Vegas, Nevada, to defend you. Schedule a case consultation now!

Call (702) 825-7854 or contact us online for a free consultation with our drug trafficking lawyers in Las Vegas.