Many of us have heard the term “drug trafficking” before in movies and on TV shows…but what exactly does that term mean? Is it really as serious as it’s made to be in the movies?
Drug trafficking is the distribution or delivery of illicit drugs. It’s considered a serious crime in the state of Texas. You could face severe consequences depending on the amount and type of drug there were caught with, including prolonged prison sentences, a lifelong criminal record, and immense fines.
That’s why if you of your loved one is charged with drug trafficking in Texas, it’s important to contact a bail bonds agent in Fort Worth immediately. PCS Bail Bonds, a leading provider of bail bonds in Tarrant County, could help you get out of jail to build better defense.
How Is Drug Trafficking Proven?
In Texas, a person charged for drug trafficking is essentially in violation of the Texas Controlled Substances Act. Under this act, four categories of drugs are covered, and these categories include stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and narcotics. Mind you, under this act, marijuana has its own separate section.
A person could be deemed guilty of drug trafficking in Texas if he or she has knowingly delivered/distributed any of the four categories of drugs in the Texas Controlled Substances Act or marijuana.
It’s worth noting that not all drug trafficking offenses in Texas are prosecuted the same. Here are few factors prosecutors might consider before issuing a sentence:
- What kind of drug was distributed/trafficked?
- How much of the illicit drug was distributed or delivered?
- Is this a first offender or repeat offender?
- Were there any weapons at the time of the arrest?
- Were any state lines crossed by the trafficker?
One general rule of thumb when it comes to the punishment/charges for drug trafficking in Texas is that the larger the quantity or the more dangerous the drug, the more severe the punishment will be.
Drug Trafficking Consequences
Among other states in the U.S., Texas has very tough penalties for drug trafficking.
As mentioned, under the Texas Controlled Substances Act, there are four categories of drugs: stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and narcotics, as well as marijuana.
Here are some of the penalties a person could face if they are caught in possession of a stimulant drug such as heroin, cocaine, morphine, and methamphetamine (meth).
A person carrying less than one gram of crack cocaine could be charged with a state jail felony. This means they could be behind bars for anywhere between 180 days and two years in state jail and face fines of up to $10,000.
If you are carrying four grams to 199 grams of heroin, for example, it’s a first-degree felony. You could face prison time between five years and 99 years and fines of up to $10,000. This opioid is creating immense problems across the U.S., and wreaking havoc in Texas as well. If you are caught with heroin and with the intention of delivering or distributing this illegal drug, expect very little leniency and bitter punishment.
Anyone carrying 400 grams of meth commits a first-degree felony that comes with 15 years to life in prison. In this case, one could also be on the hook for fines up to $250,000.
In addition, the punishments for trafficking depressants, hallucinogens, and narcotics is also severe. A person caught distributing/delivering LSD (a drug that falls under the hallucinogen group in the Texas Controlled Substances Act) could face a long prion sentence and large fines, as well
Meanwhile, depending on the amount of marijuana an individual is caught with, they could face fines of up to a million dollars and a very long time behind bars.
Regardless of the type of illicit drug distributed or delivered, if there was a death or serious injury at the time of trafficking or as a result of trafficking, charges could spike higher. Also, if state lines were crossed, larger penalties generally follow.
How PCS Bail Bonds Can Protect You From Drug Trafficking
If you or your loved ones are arrested for drug trafficking and/or related offenses, the most important step is to build a strong defense. You could only do this once you are out of jail. For that reason, you will need an experienced bail bondsman on your side. Remember that drug trafficking in Texas isn’t taken lightly whatsoever and your charge could be much higher if you don’t have a good defense. The first step is to contact a reputable bail bondsman.
PCS Bail Bonds can help you. Drug trafficking charges? No problem! We have worked with many difficult situations involving drug trafficking and we bring 50 years of courthouse experience with us.
What does PCS Bail Bonds do? We are a leading provider of 24-hour bail bonds in Fort Worth for drug trafficking and other offenses such as theft, drug possession, embezzlement, traffic violations, assault, and more. We offer competitive rates for bail bonds for drug trafficking in Texas and are here to serve you 24/7.
We are members of the Professional Bondsmen of Texas, Tarrant County Bar Association, and Professional Bondsmen of Tarrant County. We help clients in Fort Worth, Texas, and other municipalities in Tarrant County. We process our clients’ requests quickly and efficiently because we understand how threatening and uncomfortable it can be to stay in jail until your trial. Our bond agents are always on call and we can be down to the jail in under 30 minutes.
Contact us now by phone at 817-335-1655, at our e-mail, visit in-person, or fill out our bail bond request form.