When Is Drug Manufacturing Charged as a Federal Offense?

 Posted on December 12, 2019 in Federal Crimes

The manufacture of illegal drugs may be prosecuted at the Texas state level or at the federal level. Federal crimes typically carry much stricter criminal penalties than state crimes. There are many different ways that drug possession, drug manufacturing, or drug distribution charges can be considered federal offenses. In some cases, something as simple as consuming an illegal drug on federal property such as a National Park may be enough reason for a criminal offense to be prosecuted at the federal level. If you or a loved one is facing federal drug manufacturing charges, do not take these accusations lightly. Contact a criminal defense attorney qualified to defend against charges levied by the federal government as soon as possible.

Federal Law Regarding the Manufacture of Drugs

Chapter 21 of the U.S. Code lists the laws prohibiting the manufacture of controlled substances in the United States. The law states that it is illegal to intentionally or knowingly:

• Manufacture or distribute a controlled substance

• Possess a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, dispense, or manufacture the substance

• Create, dispense, or distribute a counterfeit controlled substance

• Possess a counterfeit controlled substance with the intent to distribute the substance

You may face federal drug manufacturing charges if a federal agency such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was involved in the investigation that led to your criminal charges. Federal drug charges may also be the result of you transporting drugs across state lines or possessing drugs on federal property.

Penalties For Drug Manufacturing

Criminal consequences for manufacturing a controlled substance vary depending on the type and amount of drugs found in your possession. If you are convicted of manufacturing the following quantities of illegal drugs, you can face up to 40 years of incarceration in federal prison and a maximum fine of $5,000,000:

• 100 grams or more of heroin

• 500 grams or more of cocaine

• 100 kilograms or more of marijuana or 100 or more marijuana plants

• 5 grams or more of methamphetamine

These are only some of the controlled substances prohibited by the U.S. Code. Manufacturing PCP, LSD, N-phenyl-N-, and certain other controlled substances also carry extremely harsh penalties. If an individual to whom you supplied an illegal drug dies as a result of taking the drug, you may be charged with drug-induced homicide, and your sentence may be increased to life in prison.

Contact a Collin County Federal Drug Crimes Defense Attorney

While all drug-related criminal charges have the potential to be life-changing, being convicted of drug manufacturing on the federal level carries especially harsh sentences. You could even face life in prison. If you or a loved one has been accused of manufacturing a controlled substance, you need an aggressive legal advocate on your side. Plano, Texas criminal defense lawyer Darlina Crowder has obtained more than 300 acquittals and not guilty verdicts for individuals accused of criminal offenses. Contact The Crowder Law Firm P.C. at 214-544-0061 to schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case.

Sources:
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:21%20section:841%20edition:prelim)