Drug Trafficking in Florida

Florida Statute §893.135   |   Classification: Felony with Mandatory Minimum Sentences

What Is This Charge?

Drug trafficking in Florida is triggered not by the act of selling drugs, but by possessing, purchasing, selling, manufacturing, delivering, or transporting a controlled substance in an amount that exceeds a statutory threshold. You can be charged with trafficking even if you never sold a single pill — quantity alone is enough.

Penalties & Fines

• Cannabis 25–2,000 lbs: 3-year mandatory minimum, $25,000 fine

• Cannabis 2,000–10,000 lbs: 7-year mandatory minimum, $50,000 fine

• Cannabis over 10,000 lbs: 15-year mandatory minimum, $200,000 fine

• Cocaine 28–200 grams: 3-year mandatory minimum, $50,000 fine

• Cocaine 200–400 grams: 7-year mandatory minimum, $100,000 fine

• Cocaine 400 grams–150 kg: 15-year mandatory minimum, $250,000 fine

• Cocaine over 150 kg: Life in prison

• Heroin/Opioids 4–14 grams: 3-year mandatory minimum, $50,000 fine

• Heroin/Opioids 14–28 grams: 15-year mandatory minimum, $100,000 fine

• Heroin/Opioids 28+ grams: 25-year mandatory minimum, $500,000 fine

• Fentanyl 4–14 grams: 3-year mandatory minimum, $50,000 fine

• Fentanyl 28+ grams: 25-year mandatory minimum, $500,000 fine

• Methamphetamine 14–28 grams: 3-year mandatory minimum, $50,000 fine

• Methamphetamine 200+ grams: 15-year mandatory minimum, $250,000 fine

  
  

Additional Consequences

• Permanent felony record

• Asset forfeiture

• Immigration consequences including deportation

• Federal charges may be filed alongside state charges

  
  

Possible Defenses

• The search was unlawful — suppression of evidence

• The substance does not meet the statutory threshold weight (lab testing challenges)

• Lack of knowledge of the presence or quantity of the substance

• Entrapment by law enforcement

• Substantial assistance to law enforcement may reduce or eliminate mandatory minimums

• Prescription defense for certain controlled substances

  
  

Why You Need a Defense Attorney

Trafficking charges carry some of the most severe mandatory sentences in Florida law. The difference between possession and trafficking can rest on a fraction of a gram — lab results must be scrutinized. An experienced attorney will challenge the weight, the search, and explore every avenue for relief including cooperation agreements.

Call today for a free consultation: (813) 888-8888  |  Email: erica@fllegaldefense.com

Serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Polk Counties. Virtual consultations available.