WILMINGTON, NC DRUG TRAFFICKING ATTORNEY

Drug Crime Topics

When you are under investigation or already charged with a drug offense, you need to contact a drug trafficking defense attorney as soon as possible. These cases can become highly complex, and in North Carolina and under federal law, trafficking is a felony drug crime. You will face harsh minimum penalties that include years in prison and tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.


The best way to fight a conviction and other drug trafficking consequences is to work with a seasoned trial lawyer like Thom Goolsby. He has nearly three decades of legal experience in Wilmington, North Carolina, with a track record of success handling misdemeanor and felony drug charges.


The first step in defending yourself is calling the Goolsby Law Firm. Dial 910-262-7401, send a quick text, or reach out online for a free consultation. Attorney Thom Goolsby will get with you fast, explain your options, and walk you through what comes next.

NORTH CAROLINA TRAFFICKING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES LAW

North Carolina law (NCGS §90-95(a)(1)-(3)) prohibits possessing, manufacturing, selling, delivering, or possessing controlled substances with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver. The specific crime you face under this law depends on the type and amount of the drugs in your possession.


Simple drug possession tends to be a Class 1, 2, or 3 misdemeanor or a Class I felony. Possession with intent can be a Class I, H, G or C felony, depending on the type of drug and your alleged conduct.


Having a significant amount of a drug can lead to a drug trafficking crime under NCGS §90-95(h). In North Carolina, drug trafficking is based entirely on the amount in question. No evidence related to your activities with that drug is considered. Prosecutors do not need to prove that you imported, exported, processed, analyzed, weighed, divided, packaged, labeled, distributed, or sold the drugs.


Because the weight of the drugs is so important, you need to talk with a drug trafficking defense lawyer right away. With nearly three decades of experience in handling drug cases, Attorney Thom Goolsby scrutinizes the police and prosecutor’s methods of identifying and weighing alleged drugs. If a roadside or lab test was not performed correctly, your drug charges could be reduced or dismissed.

DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGES & PUNISHMENTS

The specific charges and potential penalties depend on the type of drug and amount allegedly under your control.

TRAFFICKING IN MARIJUANA (NCGS §90-95(H)(1))

If you have more than 10 pounds of marijuana, you face felony charges:


  • Between 10 and 50 pounds is a Class H felony, punishable by between 25 and 39 months in prison and fines of at least $5,000.
  • Between 50 and 2,000 pounds is a Class G felony, punishable by between 35 and 51 months in prison and fines of at least $25,000.
  • Between 2,000 and 10,000 pounds is a Class F felony, punishable by between 70 and 93 months in prison and fines of at least $50,000.
  • More than 10,000 pounds is a Class D felony, punishable by 175 and 222 months in prison and fines of at least $200,000.

If you have more than 28 grams of cocaine, you will be charged with a felony:


  • Between 28 and 200 grams is a Class G felony, punishable by between 35 and 51 months in prison and at least $50,000 in fines.
  • Between 200 and 400 grams is a Class F felony, punishable by between 70 and 93 months in prison and at least $100,000 in fines.
  • More than 400 grams is a Class D felony, punishable by between 175 and 222 months in prison and fines of at least $250,000.

TRAFFICKING IN METH (NCGS §90-95(H)(3B))

If you have 28 grams of methamphetamine or a mixture, you face:


  • Between 28 and 200 grams is a Class F felony, punishable by between 70 and 93 months in prison and fines of at least $50,000.
  • Between 200 and 400 grams is a Class E felony, punishable by between 90 and 120 months in prison and at least $100,000 in fines.
  • More than 400 grams is a Class C felony, punishable by 225 and 282 months in prison and fines of at least $250,000.

If you have 4 grams or more of heroin, opium, or an opioid, you may be charged with:


  • Between 4 and 14 grams is a Class F felony, punishable by between 70 and 93 months in prison and fines of at least $50,000.
  • Between 14 and 28 grams is a Class E felony, punishable by between 90 and 120 months in prison and at least $100,000 in fines.
  • More than 28 grams is a Class C felony, punishable by between 225 and 282 months in prison and fines of at least $500,000.



If you are accused of trafficking in any of these or another controlled substance, call drug trafficking defense attorney Thom Goolsby today.

TESTIMONIALS

“I lost my carry concealed permit due to the misapplication of the law by law enforcement. My guns were taken from my home, and my permit was suspended. Thank you Thom Goolsby for standing up for the Second Amendment and my gun rights. You corrected the mistake of law enforcement, and I got my permit back. I appreciate your skill and advocacy.”

Criminal Defense Client

“Thank you Thom Goolsby for helping me with my case. I heard that you were a super attorney, and I heard right! Thank you for your attention to detail and for helping me with this important matter. Your office was always available to assist me, and your care and concern meant a great deal to me. If I ever need an attorney again, you will be the first person that I call.”

Personal Injury Client

“Thank you for walking me through the process for getting my open container and underage possession of alcohol charges dismissed. You arranged for a very simple deferred prosecution. It was easy to comply, and my record is now clean. I appreciate your excellent help!”

Criminal Defense Client

FEDERAL DRUG TRAFFICKING

Aside from North Carolina state law, if you are accused of trafficking drugs, you can also be charged with a federal crime.


Federal drug trafficking means that you are accused of importing, exporting, manufacturing, distributing, selling, or dispensing controlled substances, or possessing drugs with the intent to import, export, manufacture, distribute, or dispense.


You are most likely to face federal charges for drug trafficking if your conduct took drugs over a U.S. border, state lines, or involved substantial amounts of one or more controlled substances. You also can face federal charges if you were investigated by a federal agency, like the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), or if a federal informant implicated you. Federal drug charges also arise if you are accused of committing a crime on federal property.


If a federal agency is investigating you, federal agents have arrested you, or your drug case has been transferred to a federal prosecutor, call veteran attorney Thom Goolsby immediately.

DRUG POSSESSION PENALTIES

For a first offense, you face between five and 40 years in prison for:


  • Cocaine mixture: 500-4999 grams
  • Cocaine base mixture (crack cocaine): 28-279 grams
  • Fentanyl mixture: 40-399 grams
  • Fentanyl analogue mixture: 10-99 grams
  • Heroin mixture: 100-999 grams
  • LSD mixture: 1-9 grams
  • Meth pure: 5-49 grams
  • Meth mixture: 50-499 grams
  • PCP pure: 10-99 grams
  • PCP mixture: 100-999 grams


If you have greater amounts of these drugs, you may face between 10 years and life for a first offense.

Other first-time trafficking penalties include:


  • Trafficking other Schedule I or II drugs is punished with up to 20 years in prison.
  • Trafficking Schedule III substances leads to up to 10 years in prison.
  • Trafficking Schedule IV drugs, except Flunitrazepam, leads to up to five years in prison.
  • Trafficking 1 gram or more of Flunitrazepam results in up to 20 years in prison.
  • Trafficking Schedule V drugs leads up to one year in prison.


GOOLSBY LAW FIRM CASE RESULTS

MULTIPLE CHARGES DROPPED IN CRIMINAL CASE

July 6, 2021
MULTIPLE CHARGES DROPPED IN CRIMINAL CASE A Goolsby Law Firm client faced harsh statutory and collateral consequences when she was charged with the following offenses: Possession of drugs Driving while her license is revoked Fictitious tag No vehicle inspection No registration To further complicate matters, the client had a long history of prior drug and driving offenses. As such, attorney Thom Goolsby quickly got to work developing a defense strategy for his client. While the client did plead guilty to one misdemeanor drug charge, attorney Goolsby was able to negotiate a sentence that included no active time and no supervised probation. Instead, his client was simply ordered to pay court costs and a fine of $100. All other charges were dismissed.

NO ACTIVE SENTENCE IN DRUG CASE

July 6, 2021
NO ACTIVE SENTENCE IN DRUG CASE Recently, a client of Goolsby Law Firm was charged with drug possession. To make matters more complicated, the individual had a lengthy criminal record, so the potential sentence for a conviction on this new charge could be severe. After getting to work on the case, Attorney Thom Goolsby was able to negotiate a plea so the drug possession charge would be classified as a misdemeanor, not the original felony. As such, the client did not have to serve an active sentence. He was simply ordered to pay court costs and a fine.

DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED FOR STUDENT

July 6, 2021
DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED FOR STUDENT Recently a non-U.S. citizen, who was also a student, was charged with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both charges were preventing this individual from renewing his student visa, so he knew he needed help. This problem is what brought him to Goolsby Law Firm. Attorney Thom Goolsby immediately got to work on the case and after designing a successful strategy, both charges were dismissed. The student was then able to move forward in renewing his student visa and not be forced to leave the country.
READ MORE CASE RESULTS

LET DRUG TRAFFICKING ATTORNEY THOM GOOLSBY DEFEND YOU

When you are facing drug trafficking charges, or you realize you are under investigation by local or federal authorities, the first thing you should do is remain silent. Politely tell the officer or agent that you are happy to cooperate after speaking with your attorney. Then, the first call you should make is to Goolsby Law Firm.


Drug trafficking cases are fact-driven and depend on meeting a strict set of criteria. Attorney Thom Goolsby knows how to assess these cases and where to look for weaknesses. He will develop an aggressive strategy that gives you the best chance at securing a dismissal, avoiding a conviction or mitigating the possible consequences.


No drug case is hopeless, and we’re ready to help. Contact us online, call 910-262-7401, or send a text. Initial consultations are free, confidential, and Attorney Thom Goolsby will be in touch right away.

FREE CONSULTATIONS 24/7

CONTACT GOOLSBY LAW FIRM TODAY

Like any quality criminal defense attorney, Thom Goolsby may be in court when you first call, but leave a voice mail or send a text. We’ll get with you as soon as possible, so we can go over what happened, evaluate the case, and explain what comes next.

CALL 910-262-7401 NOW OR USE OUR ONLINE FORM