Smuggling and Importation of Drugs in Pennsylvania

A large quantity of the drugs that are obtained in the state of Pennsylvania are smuggled and imported from other countries like Mexico. Being accused of bringing these drugs into the state is a serious matter that warrants some of the harshest legal ramifications. Only the assistance of an experienced attorney can maximize your chances of beating these charges.

Smuggling and Importation Drug Laws in Pennsylvania 

There are no state statutes that specifically mention smuggling and importation. Pennsylvania law broadly refers to this behavior as drug trafficking. Drug trafficking penalties are incredibly serious. If convicted, a person who has never been convicted of a crime before can expect to spend some time in prison. A person may face the following penalties due to the state's mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines:

Marijuana

  • Two pounds to under ten pounds: one year in prison and a fine of $5,000 for a first offense, and two years in prison and a fine of at least $10,000 for a subsequent offense.
  • Ten pounds to under 50 pounds: three years in prison and a fine of $15,000 for a first offense, and fours years in prison and a fine of $30,000 for a subsequent offense.
  • 50 pounds or more: five years in prison and a fine of $50,000.

Meth

  • Five grams to under ten grams: three years in prison and a fine of $15,000 for a first offense, and five years in prison and a $30,000 fine for a subsequent offense.
  • Ten grams to under 100 grams: fours in prison and a fine of $25,000 for a first offense, and seven years in prison and a $50,000 fine for a subsequent offense.
  • 100 grams or more: five years in prison and a fine of $50,000 for a first offense, and eight years in prison and $50,000 for a subsequent offense.

Heroin

  • One gram to under five grams: two years in prison and a fine of $5,000 for a first offense, and three years in prison and a fine of $10,000 for a subsequent offense.
  • Five grams to under 50 grams: three years in prison and a fine of $15,000 for a first offense, and five years in prison and a $30,000 fine for a subsequent offense.
  • 50 grams or more: five years in prison and a fine of $25,000 for a first offense, and seven years in prison and a $50,000 fine for a subsequent offense.

Cocaine and MDMA

  • Two to under ten grams: two years in prison and a fine of $5,000 for a first offense, and three years in prison and a $10,000 fine for a subsequent offense.
  • Ten grams to under 100 grams: three years in prison and a fine of $10,000 for a first offense, and five years in prison and a $30,000 fine for a subsequent offense.
  • 100 grams or more: Five years in prison and a $25,000 fine for a first offense, and seven years in prison and a $50,000 fine for subsequent offenses.

Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been accused of drug trafficking, it is important that you immediately retain an attorney. LLF's skilled Criminal Law Team has tons of experience successfully advocating for people who've acquired these charges and has helped them get their sentence drastically reduced, or has gotten their charges dismissed altogether. They can do the same for you. Contact them today.

Contact Us Today!

The LLF Law Firm Team has decades of experience successfully resolving clients' criminal charges in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania counties. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you or a loved one, contact the LLF Law Firm today! Our Criminal Defense Team will go above and beyond the needs of any client, and will fight until the final bell rings.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

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