Drug distribution is a felony subject to harsh penalties upon conviction; however, the penalties for drug trafficking are even more severe, with minimum penalties at least twice those associated with distribution. When it comes to determination of what constitutes drug distribution and what constitutes trafficking, the distinction often boils down to the quantity of drug in question.

Facing a drug trafficking charge is a serious matter, and your case may be tried in state court for trafficking within Oklahoma, or it may be tried as a federal offense if you are accused of trafficking across state lines. Drug trafficking cases may be extremely complex, and they are often prosecuted with evidence obtained from investigation by law enforcement officers, highly-specialized agencies such as the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations (OSBI), the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Control (OBNDD), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), or the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Experienced Drug Trafficking Attorney

Trafficking defense is best handled by a criminal defense attorney with extensive experience handling complicated drug cases in state and federal court. The attorneys with Phillips & Associates continually demonstrate effective defense strategies through a proven record of successful drug crime defense, including dismissals and acquittals for many of our clients accused of trafficking in Oklahoma.

Drug Trafficking Penalties in Oklahoma

Trafficking is perhaps the most serious drug offense with which a person may be charged in Oklahoma. Penalties are severe and include the possibility of life in prison without parole. The state’s drug trafficking statute is the Trafficking in Illegal Drugs Act, and this statute is often triggered by the intent to distribute, as well as the quantity of drug allegedly possessed by the defendant:

• Amphetamine – 20 grams
• Cocaine – 28 grams
• Crack – 5 grams
• Heroin – 10 grams
• LSD – 50 doses
• Marijuana – 25 pounds
• Methamphetamine – 20 grams
• PCP – 1 ounce

Although most people would consider trafficking to involve copious amounts of drugs, a person can be charged with drug trafficking for possessing an amount of crack cocaine that weighs the equivalent of a United States nickel, or for possessing the equivalent weight of a U.S. quarter in PCP. Regardless of whether or not a defendant was actually trafficking in drugs, the possession of a particular quantity of drug will allow a person to be charged with this serious offense under the state’s Trafficking in Illegal Drugs Act.

If you have been accused of trafficking in Oklahoma, it is imperative that you speak with a defense attorney as soon as possible. With experience, skill, and effective resources, a drug trafficking lawyer may be able to have your case dismissed or your charges amended, helping you to avoid the drastic consequences of a trafficking conviction.

At Phillips & Associates, our experienced Oklahoma City defense attorneys explore every option to uncover the optimal solutions for your defense. Whether negotiating reduced charges or aggressively working to have evidence suppressed, we strive for the best outcome for each and every client accused of drug crimes in the state. To schedule your free consultation with a well-qualified criminal defense attorney, call (405) 418-8888 or submit our confidential case review form.

Drug Trafficking Defense in Oklahoma

A conviction on charges of drug trafficking carries serious consequences including large fines and extended prison sentences.  If you or someone you know are facing charges you need to speak with an experienced Oklahoma drug trafficking defense attorney immediately.  Don't talk to the police.  Give us a call today for a free case evaluation.

Oklahoma Trafficking in Illegal Drugs Act - 63 O.S. § 2-415

A. The provisions of the Trafficking in Illegal Drugs Act shall apply to persons convicted of violations with respect to the following substances:
1. Marihuana;
2. Cocaine or coca leaves;
3. Heroin;
4. Amphetamine or methamphetamine;
5. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD);
6. Phencyclidine (PCP);
7. Cocaine base, commonly known as "crack" or "rock"; or
8. 3,4-Methylenedioxy methamphetamine, commonly known as "ecstasy" or MDMA.
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B. Except as otherwise authorized by the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to:
1. Knowingly distribute, manufacture, bring into this state or possess a controlled substance specified in subsection A of this section in the quantities specified in subsection C of this section;
2. Possess any controlled substance with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance specified in subsection A of this section in quantities specified in subsection C of this section; or
3. Use or solicit the use of services of a person less than eighteen (18) years of age to distribute or manufacture a controlled dangerous substance specified in subsection A of this section in quantities specified in subsection C of this section.
Violation of this section shall be known as "trafficking in illegal drugs". Separate types of controlled substances described in subsection A of this section when possessed at the same time in violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a separate offense for each substance.
Any person who commits the conduct described in paragraph 1, 2 or 3 of this subsection and represents the quantity of the controlled substance to be an amount described in subsection C of this section shall be punished under the provisions appropriate for the amount of controlled substance represented, regardless of the actual amount.
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C. In the case of a violation of the provisions of subsection B of this section, involving:
1. Marihuana:
a. twenty-five (25) pounds or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of marihuana, such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) and not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or
b. one thousand (1,000) pounds or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of marihuana, such violation shall be deemed aggravated trafficking punishable by a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) and not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00);
2. Cocaine or coca leaves:
a. twenty-eight (28) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine or coca leaves, such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) and not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00),
b. three hundred (300) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine or coca leaves, such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) and not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), or
c. four hundred fifty (450) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine or coca leaves, such violation shall be deemed aggravated trafficking punishable by a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) and not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00);
3. Heroin:
a. ten (10) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) and not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or
b. twenty-eight (28) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) and not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00);
4. Amphetamine or methamphetamine:
a. twenty (20) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of amphetamine or methamphetamine, such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) and not more than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00),
b. two hundred (200) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of amphetamine or methamphetamine, such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) and not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), or
c. four hundred fifty (450) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of amphetamine or methamphetamine, such violation shall be deemed aggravated trafficking punishable by a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) and not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00);
5. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD):
a. one (1) gram or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) and not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or
b. ten (10) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) and not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00);
6. Phencyclidine (PCP):
a. twenty (20) grams or more of a substance containing a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of phencyclidine (PCP), such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) and not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or
b. one hundred fifty (150) grams or more of a substance containing a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of phencyclidine (PCP), such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) and not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00);
7. Cocaine base:
a. five (5) grams or more of a mixture or substance described in paragraph 2 of this subsection which contains cocaine base, such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) and not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or
b. fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture or substance described in paragraph 2 of this subsection which contains cocaine base, such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) and not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00); and
8. Methylenedioxy methamphetamine:
a. thirty (30) tablets or ten (10) grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of 3,4-Methylenedioxy methamphetamine, such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) and not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or
b. one hundred (100) tablets or thirty (30) grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of 3,4-Methylenedioxy methamphetamine, such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) and not more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).
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D. Any person who violates the provisions of this section with respect to a controlled substance specified in subsection A of this section in a quantity specified in subsection C of this section shall, in addition to any fines specified by this section, be punishable by a term of imprisonment as follows:
1. Not less than twice the term of imprisonment provided for in Section 2-401 of this title;
2. If the person has previously been convicted of one violation of this section or has been previously convicted of a felony violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act arising from separate and distinct transactions, not less than three times the term of imprisonment provided for in Section 2-401 of this title;
3. If the person has previously been convicted of two or more violations of this section or any provision of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act which constitutes a felony, or a combination of such violations arising out of separate and distinct transactions, life without parole; and
4. If the person is convicted of aggravated trafficking as provided in subparagraph b of paragraph 1 of subsection C of this section, subparagraph c of paragraph 2 of subsection C of this section or subparagraph c of paragraph 4 of subsection C of this section, a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of fifteen (15) years of which the person shall serve eighty-five percent (85%) of such mandatory sentence before being eligible for parole consideration or any earned credits.
The terms of imprisonment specified in this subsection shall not be subject to statutory provisions for suspension, deferral or probation, or state correctional institution earned credits accruing from and after November 1, 1989, except for the achievement earned credits authorized by subsection H of Section 138 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes. To qualify for such achievement credits, such inmates must also be in compliance with the standards for Class level 2 behavior, as defined in subsection D of Section 138 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Persons convicted of violations of this section shall not be eligible for appeal bonds.
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E. Any person convicted of any offense described in this section shall, in addition to any fine imposed, pay a special assessment trauma-care fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) to be deposited into the Trauma Care Assistance Revolving Fund created in Section 1-2530.9 of this title and the assessment pursuant to Section 2-503.2 of this title.