Frederick County Volume Dealer Lawyer
Most drug crimes involve the possession of an illegal substance. The charges are enhanced when the distribution of drugs is involved, especially if a defendant possessed a large quantity of the drug in question. Depending on the amount, drug charges can be elevated to volume dealing charges, which carry severe consequences.
If you have been charged with volume dealing, contact a Frederick County lawyer right away. A skilled attorney could ensure that you are prepared for the litigation process and help mitigate the potential penalties associated with this crime.
Volume Dealing Charges
There are a lot more drug users than there are dealers, though sometimes individuals get caught up in the lower levels of distribution. Above the street-level dealers are usually the volume dealers, those who have access to immense quantities of illegal substances. Volume dealing crimes are much less common than other drug offenses, but they still happen in the area frequently.
The severity of the crime increases as the amount of narcotics increases, as does the potential for a volume dealing charge in addition to possession. Each drug has its own requirements that constitute volume dealing. For example, for marijuana, the defendant would have to be in possession of 50 pounds or more, while for cocaine, they would have to have 448 grams or 50 grams of crack cocaine to be charged with volume dealing.
If an individual is convicted of volume dealing, the judge is required to impose a five-year mandatory prison sentence without parole, while other regular possession with intent to distribute charges carry no mandatory prison sentences. Because these charges are so serious, an accused person should make it a priority to enlist qualified legal counsel.
Drug Case Investigations
Drug cases involving volume dealers will generally warrant a much larger investigation than other narcotics crimes. For example, instead of discovering drugs in a person’s possession during a traffic stop, law enforcement would already be aware of a volume dealer’s activity and could make extensive plans to infiltrate the network and arrest a dealer.
These cases often involve an individual giving the police anonymous tips. Confidential informants can advise law enforcement that an individual is going to be carrying a large amount of narcotics at a certain time, and the police can set an operation to target them.
Federal Cases
If the amount of drugs in a volume dealing case is significant enough, it could lead to federal drug charges. In these cases, it would have to be significantly over the threshold of a volume dealer of an illegal substance. Other factors that could elevate a case to the federal level include whether there were firearms recovered during the arrest, how much cash was involved, and who the dealers were.
Reach Out to a Frederick County Volume Dealers Attorney Today
If you are facing volume dealing charges, it may be crucial to have a legal professional at your side who knows the ins and outs of the courtrooms, procedures, and protocol. A Frederick County volume dealer lawyer could help you avoid any mistakes throughout your investigation and protect your rights through every step of the process. Schedule a consultation today and learn more about your legal options.