Drug Trafficking Lawyer in Mississauga

When facing serious drug trafficking charges for narcotics such as marijuana, cocaine or illegal prescription drugs, you need a criminal defence lawyer who is current on the issues, meticulous at preparing your case and experienced in the trial system. The lawyer you hire may make a difference in the outcome of your case, and can have an impact on your life for years, and even decades, to come.

What is Drug Trafficking?

Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. A person is deemed to have trafficked a drug if they sell, administer, give, transfer, transport, send or deliver the substance to another. This means that even an act of passing a marijuana joint to another person or buying drugs for a friend and delivering it to them can both be considered trafficking under Canadian law.

What Is Drug Possession?

Possessing any controlled substance that is classified illegal may end up with someone in jail after being arrested when caught with the drug. However, this becomes complicated when the person is a resident of a province where certain drugs are legal such as marijuana. There are usually specific stipulations that explain having possession of the drug outside of the province could result in an arrest.

Drug possession generally applies where a person has physical custody or control over the drug or has the drugs in a place that gives them the right, power or ability to take them into their custody.

For example, a person would be in possession of drugs if they:

• Received or obtain possession of the drugs.
• Have some degree of control over the disposition of the drugs, whether or not the drugs are within that person’s custody.
• have sole or joint possession of the drugs.

What is Drug Distribution?

Drug distribution is the sale, transfer, exchange, import, or export of illegal drugs. Drug distribution or drug trafficking and illegal import of drugs is a very serious crime. The penalties for drug trafficking can depend on several factors such as the amount of drugs being distributed, the area the drug was distributed, and other factors such as whether children or dangerous weapons were involved during the distribution Drug trafficking/distribution is a felony and is a more serious crime than drug possession. If you’re found in possession of drugs, you could be charged with trafficking if police believe you intended to sell them. If you’re found with a large quantity of drugs or cash at the time of your arrest, it is likely you’ll be facing drug distribution charges.

Penalties for Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking charges are very serious, and anyone convicted of these crimes can find themselves facing years or decades in prison. Though the severity of the penalties associated with drug trafficking convictions varies widely by province, all provinces impose significant penalties for drug trafficking.

Of course, the punishments for drug trafficking can largely depend on your jurisdiction, and whether you are facing provincial penalties or federal penalties (or perhaps both).

• Marijuana: In cases of marijuana trafficking (depending on the amount), a defendant can face anywhere from 3-15 years in prison and fines of over $100,000.
• Cocaine: Penalties for cocaine trafficking (depending on the amount) can involve prison time between 3-15 years as well as fines of up to $250,000.
• Heroin: In cases of heroin trafficking (depending on the amount), a defendant can face up to 25 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000.

What are controlled substances?

The control of psychotropic substances, including new psychotropic substances (NPS) and those with medical purposes, can be essential to prevent abuse, misuse and dependence. However, as many controlled substances have continued medical use, access for patients in need is necessary.

A drug or other substance that is tightly controlled by the government because it may be abused or cause addiction. The control applies to the way the substance is made, used, handled, stored, and distributed. Controlled substances include opioids, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and anabolic steroids. Controlled substances with known medical use, such as morphine, Valium, and Ritalin, are available only by prescription from a licensed medical professional.

The Act lists the drugs that fall under each Schedule:

• Schedule I means the drug is highly addictive, has no accepted medical use, and is not safe even under medical supervision.
• Schedule II means the drug is highly addictive, has medical uses, and may lead to severe drug dependence.
• Schedule III means the drug has a low potential for abuse, has accepted medical uses, and moderate risk of dependence.
• Schedule IV and V both have low potential for drug abuse, have accepted medical uses, and have limited potential for dependence.

HOW OUR DRUG LAWYER CAN HELP YOU!

Our  drug lawyer has significant experience dealing with drug offences. We have a variety of ways to defend against drug allegations that include challenging illegal searches and seizure, and questioning evidence of knowledge and control of the drugs. If you are looking for a skilled and prepared  drug lawyer, we are able to assist you.

The sentence a court gives in any drug trafficking case will differ substantially depending on numerous factors, and only an experienced lawyer can tell you what might happen to you if you’re convicted. If you’re facing federal drug trafficking charges you need to speak to a criminal defense attorney immediately.