Drug trafficking is the crime of transporting, manufacturing, or illegal import of illegal controlled substances, such as cocaine, marijuana, PCP, methamphetamines, heroin, and LSD. In order for the prosecutor to win a conviction, they must prove that the defendant was knowingly involved in drug trafficking activities. First, the prosecutor must prove that the defendant intended either to bring the drugs into the state of Florida or engage in drug trafficking. Then they must show that the seized materials are, in fact, controlled substances as defined by Florida state laws.
Generally speaking, controlled substances are illegal drugs with the capacity to have a harmful effect on a person’s health or welfare. Controlled substances are broken down into five categories under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970:
- Schedule I: Ecstasy, LSD, heroin, and marijuana
- Schedule II: Cocaine and methamphetamine
- Schedule III: Anabolic steroids, ketamine, testosterone
- Schedule IV: Ambien, Xanax, and Valium
- Schedule V: Lyrica and cough suppressants