Drug trafficking charges are much more serious than possession charges. Drug trafficking typically means that you have a large amount of illegal substances and the intent to sell. You are distributing those substances and potentially moving them to new locations to find buyers. Authorities take this much more seriously than simply possessing the same substances for personal use – even when both situations would result in arrest.
One important thing to be aware of is that you could face conspiracy charges for drug trafficking even if you have not actually sold or distributed any substances yet. This is because conspiracy charges work differently from traditional criminal charges. Successfully completing the conspiracy is not always required.
Taking concrete steps is the key
There are two main components to conspiracy charges. The first is that multiple people are involved, meaning you had at least one partner. The second is that you took a concrete step toward completing the conspiracy. This does not mean that you succeeded, only that you moved in that direction.
In the context of drug trafficking, imagine that you and a partner decide to rent a vehicle to transport illegal substances across state lines. However, police discover the plan before you purchase any substances or move them to another state. All you and your partner have done is rent the vehicle in preparation. Because you conspired to commit illegal activity and took a step toward carrying it out, you could still face conspiracy charges.
These types of criminal cases can be highly complex, so it is crucial that you understand exactly what legal options are available to you. An experienced defense is wise.
