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1,4-Butanediol trafficking
Drug trafficking is punished harshly in Florida, and charges are not reserved for drug kingpins or people engaged in large-scale manufacturing. Trafficking charges come with mandatory minimum sentences, depending on the type and weight of the drug. 1,4-Butanediol is thick and colorless and has no odor. It is used as a solvent and to manufacture certain types of plastics. When people use it recreationally, it works as a depressant, and its effects are similar to alcohol. If you are accused of 1,4-Butanediol trafficking or another drug crime, such as a meth crime, you should call an attorney right away. At Hanlon Law, St. Petersburg drug trafficking lawyer Will Hanlon is dedicated to providing a strong defense to the accused. The earlier that he gets involved in a trafficking case, the more likely it is that he will be able to develop a strong defense.
1, 4-Butanediol TraffickingWhen taken, 1,4-Butanediol is converted into the equivalent of GHB. The chemical is sometimes used not only as a solvent but also in supplements to help with sexual performance and bodybuilding. It is toxic and addictive.
A prosecutor can secure a conviction for 1,4-Butanediol trafficking if they can show beyond a reasonable doubt that you knowingly imported into Florida or made, bought, sold, or possessed (actually or constructively) one kg. or more of 1,4-Butanediol. You can also be convicted for doing any of these activities with a one-kg. mixture that includes 1,4-Butanediol.
If you are convicted, a mandatory minimum sentence will be imposed, similar to people convicted of cocaine trafficking or cannabis trafficking, and the penalty will depend on the weight of the drug. If you are caught simply possessing 1-5 kg. of the drug, the judge is required to sentence you to a minimum of three years in prison, and the fine will be $50,000. If you are caught with 5-10 kg. of 1,4-Butanediol, the mandatory minimum sentence is seven years and a $100,000 fine. If you are caught with 10 kg. or more of 1,4-Butanediol, the mandatory minimum sentence is 15 calendar years and $500,000.
If you knowingly make or carry into Florida 150 kg. or more of this drug or a mixture including it, and you know that the probable result of your carrying it in is the death of someone else, you can be charged and convicted of the capital felony of manufacturing or importation. That means that you face the possibility of life in prison or a death sentence. You will not be eligible for parole.
Furthermore, even if you simply agree or conspire with somebody else who is trafficking in 1,4-Butanediol, you may face first-degree felony charges. Often, people assume that simply helping is not the same thing as actually trafficking. However, this is not true, and you can face substantial penalties for being a confederate of a trafficker.
There are numerous defenses that a St. Petersburg criminal attorney may be able to raise. Among the first issues that we will consider is whether the police followed proper procedures and whether the prosecutor can truly prove all of the elements beyond a reasonable doubt. Sometimes it is possible to get the charges reduced from trafficking to a more ordinary type of drug charge. Often, trafficking cases can be defended by raising a constitutional defense, such as a violation of Fourth Amendment or Fifth Amendment rights. If you are in custody, the police must provide Miranda warnings if they want to ask you questions and use your answers as evidence at trial. The location of the interrogation is not important. A custodial interrogation for the purposes of the Fifth Amendment can happen on the street or at a home.
Other possible defenses include insufficient evidence, entrapment, and substantial assistance. If you are in a position to provide substantial assistance to the police regarding your accomplices, co-conspirators, principals, or others involved in the trafficking, substantial assistance may be an appropriate strategy. However, a judge will only reduce or suspend your sentence if they determine that you actually held up your end of the deal and provided the substantial assistance that you promised. It is critical to work with an experienced attorney rather than try to provide this assistance on your own.
Hire a Drug Trafficking Attorney in the St. Petersburg AreaIf you are seeking a tough and experienced criminal defense lawyer to fight charges of 1,4-butanediol trafficking in St. Petersburg, Hanlon Law may be able to represent you. Our founder, Will Hanlon, has offered knowledgeable criminal defense representation since 1994. You can call Hanlon Law at 727.289.0222 or complete our online form. We also can assist you in fighting charges related to marijuana or other controlled substances.
