Drug Trafficking: The Most Common Drug Offense
The most organized crime in the United States is drug trafficking. There is an annual income of $110 billion in this crime. American pilots are usually the way for the Colombian drug cartel to transport their cocaine and other such drugs. These pilots are usually ex-military and sometimes unlicensed aviators.
Yuby Ramirez, a Miami-Dade mom, previously ran in the middle of the circle of drug lords. Ramirez played a large supporting role in the murder of a government witness, which will cause her to serve the rest of her life behind bars.
Sal Magluta and Willie Falcon were Miami High School dropouts. They turned into local drug lords and got Ramirez involved with their business. Last year, Ramirez’s lawyers told her if she refused the plea bargain that was offered, then she would not serve a life sentence in prison. Ramirez turned down the five-year sentence and is now looking at the life sentence behind bars.
Ramirez disregarded the plea bargain because her Miami criminal defense lawyers thought she was innocent. Ramirez, herself, thought she was innocent also. The lawyers thought that Ramirez would be charged with manslaughter instead of first-degree murder, and that she would serve a maximum of ten years in prison if convicted.
Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking involves every area of the drug world.
1. Manufacturing
2. Sales
3. Distribution
4. Possession
Drug trafficking occurs with the intent to sell or distribute, and smuggle a controlled substance. When someone is charged with the crime of drug trafficking, it does not include the possession of the drug. They are two separate charges unless it can be proven that the individual had the intent to sell the drugs.
Some people may believe that the federal government is too hard on individuals that are involved in drug trafficking. If someone is convicted of being a part of drug trafficking, he or she will be given an automatic predetermined incarceration sentence. In some cases, this has put far less violent drug criminals behind bars rather than the more dangerous criminals.
For a first time offender, the average sentence behind bars is one to three years. More than 50% of the convicts in prison are somehow related to drug trafficking. Miami criminal lawyers can help in this area of law whenever needed. Violent offenders serve approximately 54% of his or her sentence, but drug offenders will serve closer to 85% of his or her prison sentence.
Drug trafficking is the most serious crime of all drug offenses. The consequences of drug trafficking will be more harsh if the drugs were intended to be sold to minors, or if the drugs are handled in a school zone. It is very rare for a drug offender to receive a light punishment especially if he or she does not use a Miami criminal lawyer.
Miami criminal defense attorneys can look through your case and help you decide whether it is a good idea to take a plea bargain. The lawyers can also walk you through each process as they are encountered.
