How Serious Are the Penalties for Fentanyl Trafficking in Florida?
Recently, there has been some moderately good news regarding the fentanyl crisis that has affected Florida and most other parts of the United States. In early November, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that fatal overdoses of fentanyl were down 14.5 percent from 2023, marking the “lowest level of drug deaths in nearly four years,” according to National Public Radio.
Pensacola Man Receives 25 Years for 6 Grams
Perhaps not surprisingly, the decrease in fentanyl-related deaths coincides with increased prosecution of drug trafficking offenses involving the powerful synthetic opioid. Many states, including Florida, have prioritized prosecutions of anyone caught possessing or dealing the drug. And when defendants are found guilty, they face some of the most severe penalties available in non-homicide cases.
For example, an Escambia County judge recently sentenced a 56-year-old defendant to 25 years in prison following his conviction for trafficking in fentanyl. The case began in August 2023 when a sheriff’s office deputy initiated a routine traffic stop of the defendant. After the defendant admitted he was driving on a suspended license, police called for a K-9 unit, which identified the possible presence of narcotics in the defendant’s vehicle.
The sheriff’s office search of the defendant’s vehicle ultimately recovered what news reports sensationally claimed was “enough fentanyl to kill 3,000 people,” or about 6 grams.
According to the Escambia County State Attorney’s Office, a jury took only an hour to convict the defendant on multiple counts. Under Florida law, the defendant must serve at least 7 years of his 25-year sentence in prison. He must also pay a $50,000 fine.
How Do You Defend Against a Fentanyl Charge in Florida?
Many Florida drug trafficking arrests, including the case described above, start out as an ordinary traffic stop. With that in mind, here are a few things to keep in mind if you are ever pulled over and end up facing a drug charge:
- The police need a valid reason to pull you over, such as observing a traffic violation. If the police lack “reasonable suspicion” of any infraction, any evidence they subsequently obtain from your or your car can be found inadmissible against you in court.
- While you need to provide your driver’s license and registration during a traffic stop, you do not have to answer any additional questions about your activities. You do not have to tell the police where you were or where you are going.
- If the police search your vehicle and arrest you, do not speak to anyone before first contacting a lawyer.
When it comes to charges like fentanyl trafficking, a qualified Orlando drug trafficking lawyer is often your only ally in dealing with the harsh realities of Florida’s criminal justice system. So if you need legal advice or representation, call the Joshi Law Firm, PA, today at 844-GO-JOSHI or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.
Sources:
npr.org/2024/11/14/nx-s1-5191743/overdose-deaths-drop-fentanyl-opioid-crisis
msn.com/en-us/news/crime/pensacola-man-gets-25-years-for-trafficking-enough-fentanyl-to-kill-thousands-of-people/ar-AA1u1jXv
