Texas law defines drug trafficking as dispensing, distributing, exporting, importing or manufacturing controlled or illegal substances. That said, there are instances when you can be charged with drug trafficking without meeting this definition. This usually has to do with Texas’ health and safety codes.
Contributing factors for being charged with drug trafficking include:
- The possession of a large quantity of 1 drug
- The possession of a large quantity of several drugs
- Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription
- Possessing a large quantity of both money and drugs
- Possessing a gun along with drugs
- Possessing drug paraphernalia (including weight scales and packaging) along with drugs
Penalties for drug trafficking in Texas
There are 4 different drug groupings according to Texas law and each carries its own penalty if you’re caught trafficking:
- Group 1 drugs (including cocaine, marijuana, methadone, methamphetamine, opioids and oxycodone) possession could land you with a $10,000 fine and 180 days to 2 years in prison for the possession of under a gram. Those in possession of over 400 grams can see these penalties increase to $250,000 and 15 to 99 years in prison.
- Group 2 drugs (including amphetamine, ecstasy and methaqualone) possession of 1 gram carries the same penalties as 1 gram of group 1 drugs. The penalty for possessing 400 grams increases the fine to $50,000 and 15 to 99 years in prison.
- Group 3 drugs (including LSD, Xanax and valium) possession carries the same jail and prison sentence ranges as groups 1 and 2 as well as the monetary fines ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the amount of drugs.
- Group 4 drugs refer to compounds of controlled substances that may or may not have medical applications. The penalties are the same for group 4 drugs as group 3.
