Morphine Trafficking

Morphine is a habit-forming drug that is sometimes prescribed by doctors. Generally, people who drink large quantities of alcohol, use stress drugs, overuse prescription medications, or have a mental illness are more likely to misuse or overuse morphine. Overuse of morphine can cause breathing problems. Morphine trafficking is criminalized in Florida. You should consult a Clearwater morphine trafficking lawyer if you are being investigated for or accused of morphine trafficking. At Hanlon Law, we fight for the rights of the accused.

Morphine trafficking charges are not reserved for people with links to the criminal underworld. Even if you have no other criminal history, you can face morphine trafficking charges simply for possessing the threshold amount of morphine, which is 4 grams. Trafficking in morphine could be charged in connection with actual or constructive possession, as well as buying, selling, manufacturing, delivering, or importing into Florida at least the threshold amount. There are harsher penalties when more morphine than the threshold amount is involved.

The amount of morphine involved is not calculated by weighing the pure amount of morphine. Instead, the total mixture is weighed, and if you have at least 4 grams of a mixture, you can be charged with trafficking. If you are caught with 4 grams-14 grams and convicted, the mandatory minimum sentence that you will face is 3 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. When you are caught with 14 grams-28 grams, the mandatory minimum sentence is 15 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. When 28 grams-30 kg is involved, the mandatory minimum sentence is 25 years’ imprisonment and a $500,000 fine. Since any of these outcomes is harsh, you should retain a morphine trafficking attorney in the Clearwater area to help you fight the charges.

People who are found with at least 30 kg of morphine or one of its derivatives can be charged with a first-degree felony and may face life in prison with no eligibility for a discretionary release, except under very rare circumstances such as terminal illness. You can face a capital felony charge, which is punished with life in prison and a huge fine, if your trafficking results in your killing another person, either directly or by procuring the death through someone else.

Although it can be stressful to face morphine trafficking charges, you should consult an experienced Clearwater criminal attorney who understands which defenses are likely to be successful, given your particular situation. Often in drug crime cases, the strongest possible defense is to raise constitutional or procedural arguments. For example, if officers did not have a warrant to search the place where the morphine was stored, and they were required to have it, it may be possible for a Clearwater morphine trafficking attorney to file a motion to suppress the morphine that was seized on the basis that the search violated your Fourth Amendment rights.

Sometimes, more substantive defenses may be applicable. For example, it may be the case that you have a valid prescription. Or we may be able to arrange for you to provide substantial assistance to law enforcement officers in situations in which you could give the police important information in their efforts to investigate and arrest others involved in morphine or drug trafficking. However, substantial assistance is not for everyone because there can be serious consequences for people who help the police.

Morphine trafficking is a very serious offense, and sometimes it is charged alongside other drug trafficking charges. There are even situations in which health care providers, such as doctors or nurses, are charged with morphine trafficking. In other situations, a patient is charged. If you are being investigated for morphine trafficking, there is a risk of incarceration, hefty fines, and social stigma that may make it very difficult to get a job, a professional license, housing, or education. Our founder, Will Hanlon, has represented clients facing drug charges since 1994 and understands the available criminal defense strategies. You can contact Hanlon Law at 727.897.5413 or via our online form. We also represent people facing charges of trafficking in other drugs, such as GBL, GHB, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.