Drug trafficking is an illegal trade involving the cultivation, distribution, and sale of illicit drugs. In Tennessee, drug trafficking charges are much more serious than simple possession charges and can carry much higher penalties upon conviction. The severity of a drug trafficking conviction will vary depending on the type of drug involved and the quantity the accused person had in their possession at the time of their arrest. Drug trafficking charges related to the transportation and distribution of Schedule I drugs such as heroin and LSD carry the most serious penalties while trafficking less-addictive substances such as marijuana will generally be punished less harshly.

Possession charges can sometimes escalate to drug trafficking charges if:

• The defendant is found with a larger quantity of a given substance
• The defendant is found in possession of large amounts of cash
• The defendant is found in in possession of drug paraphernalia

In a worst-case scenario, a conviction of drug trafficking charges involving a Schedule I substances can carry a whopping 30 years in prison, in addition to significant fines. Regardless of the specifics, all drug trafficking charges are felony offenses and must be handled by an experienced attorney to maximize one’s chances of securing a favorable outcome.