Bronx Drug Trafficking Lawyer

Bronx Drug Trafficking Attorney

Drug trafficking offenses are some of the most serious criminal charges a person can face in the Bronx and can carry harsh penalties like high fines and long prison sentences. Skilled Bronx drug trafficking lawyer Michael Vitaliano at The Vitaliano Law Firm can help you navigate the legal process, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and give you the highest chance possible of beating the charges.

At The Vitaliano Law Firm, we know that getting started as soon as possible gives you more time to build a strong case, which means a better chance of a positive outcome. With each client, we make the time to really listen, investigate the details of the case, and pinpoint the factors that we can use to develop a robust defense for the most favorable result possible, whether that’s getting charges dropped, negotiating a plea deal, or arguing in court for a not guilty verdict.

Drug Trafficking Charges in New York

Drug trafficking is not an official offense in New York. Rather, the charges are generally Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance or Criminal Possession with Intent to Distribute. These are generally felony charges but may be federal crimes if they involve large quantities of controlled substances, guns, gang activity, children or schools, deaths from the substances, or crossing into other states or countries.

To prove drug trafficking allegations, the prosecution has to show that the defendant knowingly sold a controlled substance. Some common controlled substances in drug trafficking cases include:

• Fentanyl
• Cocaine and crack cocaine
• Heroin
• Marijuana
• Ecstasy
• Methadone
• Methamphetamine
• LSD
• GHD
• Psilocybin mushrooms
• Ketamine
• PCP
• Prescription medications such as stimulants or opioid pain pills

Penalties for Conviction

Penalties for a drug trafficking conviction depend on the specific charges, as well as the type and quantities of the drug or drugs involved and whether the defendant has prior drug-related convictions. The most serious cases, for example, those that involve multiple overdose deaths, may be punishable with life imprisonment and no possibility of parole, even for a first-time conviction.

There can also be significant financial consequences like hefty fines, restitution, and job loss. In addition, the criminal record that comes with a conviction can have a long-lasting impact on an individual’s life. This can include making it difficult to obtain new employment, housing, bank loans, and other benefits, even if the individual does not serve time in prison, as well as affecting personal and professional relationships.

Recent Examples

Government agencies like the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the New York Police Department (NYPD), and the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) are responsible for enforcing New York and federal drug laws. In the Bronx, arrests are often tied to gang activity, firearms, and high risk to public safety. Some recent examples include:

• Sixteen gang members were charged with distributing fentanyl, crack cocaine, and heroin in the Bronx over the course of a decade. They were accused of using firearms and violence that included shootings.
• The ATF and NYPD seized a house on Decatur Avenue. They allege it served as a stash house for methamphetamines, fentanyl, cocaine, and firearms.
• A fentanyl trafficking scheme in the Bronx led to eight overdose deaths in 2021. The leader was sentenced to thirty years in prison.
• A Bronx man was arrested for running a drug mill near a school, where he allegedly packaged cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and xylazine. Drug enforcement officials seized two guns and 2.5 kg of drugs.

Why You Need a Lawyer

An experienced drug trafficking lawyer can have a huge impact on the outcome of your case. Your attorney’s knowledge of state and federal drug laws, the borough’s courts, and local judges’ tendencies toward diversion or other outcomes can be key to getting the desired result. A Brox criminal defense lawyer with a strong history of success at trial knows how to take advantage of reasonable doubt to present a fierce legal defense.

FAQs

How Do You Win a Drug Trafficking Case?

There are several ways you can win a drug trafficking case. These include successfully arguing for a not guilty verdict in court and negotiating with the prosecution to reduce charges for a lesser penalty or dismiss charges altogether. A criminal defense attorney with experience in drug trafficking charges can be crucial to winning a drug trafficking case, as they can devote individual time and attention to getting the most favorable outcome possible in your case.

What Are the Charges for Drug Trafficking in New York?

The charges for drug trafficking in New York are usually Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance or Criminal Possession with Intent to Distribute. Additional charges may include conspiracy, use or possession of a firearm, criminal sale near a school, murder or manslaughter, money laundering, racketeering (RICO), endangering the welfare of a child, and operating as a major trafficker.

What Is the Minimum Sentence for Drug Trafficking?

The minimum sentence for a first-time state drug trafficking offense could be probation. Beyond that, the sentence depends on the amount and type of drugs involved, as well as other factors like who the drugs were sold to and whether the drugs were sold or stored near a school. A qualified criminal defense lawyer can explain the possible outcomes and their likelihood in your specific case.

How Do Police Prove Drug Trafficking?

Police prove drug trafficking by collecting evidence of possession of a controlled substance and intent to sell, which often means either a quantity too large to be for personal use or activity that links to a larger operation. In addition to the drugs themselves, this might mean surveillance or undercover operations, witness testimony, firearms or violent activity, fingerprints or other forensic evidence, and digital evidence like texts, phone calls, and bank records.

The Legal Defense You Need

Drug charges in New York are complex and often linked to other serious charges as well. Michael Vitaliano and the legal team at The Vitaliano Law Firm have significant experience with drug trafficking cases and can use every resource at our disposal to fight the charges against you. Don’t take chances with your rights and freedom. Contact our office right away to set up an initial consultation and get started on your defense.