Drug Trafficking Attorney San Antonio TX
At the Law Office of Kerrisa Chelkowski, I make it a point to stay on top of the latest developments in the state and federal laws concerning drug trafficking, since this specific offense is a major concern in San Antonio. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), San Antonio is the largest market in the South Texas High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). The DOJ cites the major highways that pass through the city, including I-35 and I-10, as well as the San Antonio International Airport, as reasons for the city’s appeal as a major transportation and trafficking hub. In addition, the city’s large Hispanic population provides the Mexican drug trafficking organizations with ample opportunity to blend in with the local communities.
The major drugs that pass through the HIDTA include:
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
While federal drug trafficking offenses are investigated by law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, state and local agencies such as the Texas Department of Public Safety and the San Antonio Police Department also work to crack down on this type of crime.
Are you facing charges for drug trafficking in San Antonio? Don’t face your charges alone. Contact the Law Office of Kerrisa Chelkowski today.
Penalties for Drug Trafficking in Texas
Drug trafficking is a felony criminal offense, one that carries severe penalties for a conviction. If, for example, you face federal charges for trafficking at least 500 grams of cocaine, you can be sentenced to between 5 and 40 years of prison and fines of up to $5 million. Even after completing your sentence, you would still have to live the rest of your life with a conviction on your criminal record, which can make it difficult to find suitable housing or employment. You simply have too much at stake to take any chances with the outcome of this situation.
Defense Strategies for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio
Fortunately, there are effective strategies for fighting back against drug trafficking charges. Your San Antonio drug trafficking attorney may, for example, be able to clear your name in court by pointing out a lack of evidence of one of the following.
Possible defense could include a lack of evidence for:
- Knowledge that drugs were in your vehicle
- Knowledge that the substance you were transporting was a drug
In some cases, the defense depends on an argument that you were being coerced into smuggling or dealing drugs upon threat of violence. It might even be possible to file a motion to suppress the evidence on the grounds that the police violated your constitutional rights by conducting a search without a warrant or probable cause.