Heroin, Fentanyl, and Methamphetamine Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyer in Raleigh, NC

At the Marcilliat & Mills PLLC, our skilled Raleigh drug trafficking defense lawyers know that crimes involving heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamines are met with severe penalties in North Carolina.

Just recently, a New Bern man was sentenced to 118 months in prison and 60 months of supervised release for trafficking heroin and fentanyl. In Asheville, a 26-year-old woman was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking narcotics, including fentanyl that resulted in an overdose death.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, drug overdose deaths last year increased by 40% over the previous year. Of the nearly 4,000 deaths, 70% likely involved illicitly manufactured fentanyl.

Those statistics draw a clear line to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office reporting a record number of drug trafficking charges last year, with 81 fentanyl trafficking charges, surpassing the previous year’s high of 37.

Due to the rapid and significant increase in fentanyl-related overdoses in North Carolina, the state legislature passed a bill that went into effect on December 1, 2021, making fentanyl possession of any amount a felony.

Here is the problem with a one-size-fits-all style of prosecuting drug crimes in North Carolina.

Drug trafficking charges are becoming increasingly broad, and do not consider the individual’s criminal history — unlike other crimes. This means a first-time conviction can end in a sentence that is handed down by statute, without consideration for any relevant characteristics that may lessen the sentence, leading to disparate and illogical results.

That is why we are here. Our Wake County drug trafficking criminal defense attorneys and support staff protect the rights of North Carolina residents when they have been charged with a drug crime, so they can pursue the best outcome for their individual cases.

Contact our skilled Raleigh drug trafficking defense lawyers today to learn more about how we produce real results, for real people who need our help.

When Do Drug Possession Charges Become Drug Trafficking Charges in North Carolina?

Whether you intend to sell heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine or not is irrelevant if law enforcement catches you with a certain amount of an illegal substance — because the amount of the drug matters.

North Carolina residents can face drug trafficking charges if they possess:

  • 28 grams or more of cocaine, methamphetamine, or amphetamine
  • 4 grams or more of opium, heroin, or fentanyl

North Carolina has harsh penalties for fentanyl possession and trafficking, but it is also a violation of federal law. Federal law supersedes state law, and the Department of Justice can pick up cases from the state, especially if the crime crosses state lines.

What are the Penalties for Heroin, Fentanyl, And Methamphetamine Drug Trafficking in North Carolina?

The penalties for heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine drug trafficking in North Carolina are severe, and differ by the type of drug and weight.

The penalties for heroin and/or fentanyl drug trafficking in North Carolina include:

  • 4 – 13 grams: Class F felony, up to 59 months in prison and a $50,000 fine.
  • 14 – 27 grams: Class E felony, up to 88 months in prison and a 100,000 fine.
  • 28 grams+: Class C felony, 231 months in prison and a $500,00 fine.

The penalties for methamphetamine drug trafficking in North Carolina include:

  • 28 – 199 grams: Class F felony, punishable by 84 months in prison and a minimum $50,000 fine.
  • 200 – 399 grams: Class E felony, up to 117 months in prison, minimum $100,000 fine.
  • 400 grams+: Class C felony, up to 279 months in prison and minimum $250,000 fine.

While North Carolina has harsh penalties related to drug trafficking, it is also a federal crime to manufacture, distribute, or possess controlled substances and the penalties for doing so are often more severe than state sentencing.

If you have been arrested on drug trafficking charges in North Carolina, contact our skilled heroin, fentanyl, and meth state and federal criminal defense attorneys in Raleigh at the Marcilliat & Mills PLLC today by calling (919) 838-6643 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help with your case.

At Marcilliat & Mills PLLC, Our Criminal Defense Attorney In Raleigh, NC Focuses On The Following Practice Areas:

Why Hire Us?
What Does It Cost?