Drug trafficking involves the illegal transportation, sale and manufacture of controlled substances. It is a serious offense and can have severe consequences for those convicted of the crime. Prison sentences vary from a few years to life in extreme cases, and fines can be very high. A conviction can also lead to the loss of professional licenses, damaging a person’s reputation and making it difficult to find employment in the future.
Most foreign-produced illicit drugs available in the United States are smuggled overland through the borders with Mexico and, to a lesser degree, Canada (see map). Smuggling routes and methods shift in response to law enforcement pressure, intercartel conflict and other external factors. For example, during 2009, Mexican DTOs redirected drug shipments from their main corridor through the Southwest border to areas east of Corridor A, where they had better access to markets. Traffickers also redirected shipments from the Caribbean into Florida and South Texas by maritime means.
Moreover, the use of encrypted technology and social media to communicate and recruit is challenging law enforcement efforts to intercept drug shipments. This trend increases the danger for people involved in drug-related crimes and makes it more difficult for them to get out of the business.
Defending against drug trafficking charges requires an attorney with experience fighting these complex and often complicated cases. Often, the distinction between possession and trafficking depends on the quantity, packaging, presence of scales or other distribution equipment and circumstantial evidence showing intent to distribute rather than personal use.
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