
Drug trafficking involves the delivery, manufacture, or possession of a controlled substance with an intent to deliver it. If you’re facing charges, you should find an experienced Fort Bend drug trafficking lawyer who understands the details of federal and state drug trafficking laws.
The team here at Greco Neyland, PC, has helped over 5,000 clients facing serious criminal charges. Throughout our years in practice as drug crime attorneys, we have seen countless drug trafficking cases and have successfully taken many of them to state or federal court. We’re committed to protecting our clients’ rights and keeping them fully informed at every step. You can trust us to take on even a complex drug trafficking case.
There were more drug arrests in Texas than in any other state in 2025, with 96,313 drug-related arrests. That accounts for 11.2% of all the reported arrests in the country. Across the United States, there were 16,144 drug trafficking cases reported to the U.S. Sentencing Commission that year. If you’re facing charges for a drug crime, even a serious one like trafficking, you’re not alone.
Anyone who is accused of trafficking drugs should hire a drug trafficking lawyer; ideally, as soon as they have been arrested or realize that they are under investigation. Your drug trafficking lawyer can manage all aspects of your case, providing you with valuable advice and advocacy from the very beginning. Hiring a skilled attorney is the most effective way to improve your chances of maintaining your freedom.
Drug delivery and manufacturing charges are handled under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 481, which is also known as the Texas Controlled Substances Act. This act categorizes drugs into different penalty groups, with varying prison sentences and fines, depending on what type of drug the suspected offenders were caught trafficking and how much of it was found.
Charges range significantly from state jail felonies to felonies in the first degree, which are punishable by life in a state prison, like the nearby Beauford H. Jester III Unit. Here’s what you need to know:
The charges for these penalty groups vary. For Penalty Group 4, you may face a state jail felony, which leads to a relatively light sentence. For Penalty Group 1, you may face a first-degree felony.
The factors that influence sentencing for drug trafficking in Fort Bend include:
Smaller amounts of drugs in higher penalty groups have lighter sentences. Even possessing a small bit of a controlled substance can be a felony charge, though, which can have dramatic consequences.
Texas law provides separate sentencing guidelines for marijuana trafficking charges. Delivering less than ¼ of an ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor charge. From there, penalties increase significantly. Trafficking up to five pounds of marijuana is a state jail felony, while possession of 2,000 lbs. or more of marijuana while intending to sell it is a first-degree felony, carrying a minimum sentence of 10 years to life and up to $100,000 in fines.
In Fort Bend, how much a lawyer for drug trafficking costs varies, depending on the complexity of your case and whether it goes to trial. Complex cases require more billable hours, as do those that go to trial instead of being resolved early through a plea bargain. Attorneys who have been in practice for longer may also charge more than their less-experienced counterparts.
In Fort Bend, evidence needed for a drug trafficking charge to stick can include the drugs themselves, paraphernalia, large amounts of cash, and communication records discussing the details of a sale. Witness testimony is also helpful in drug trafficking cases. If you’re facing charges and your lawyer can get any of this evidence thrown out, you may be less likely to face a conviction.
The penalties for drug trafficking in Texas depend on the type of drug in question and how much of it you had. Generally, penalties increase significantly as the amount of drugs you were caught with increases. You could face a prison term of up to life in prison and up to $500,000 in fines if you are caught with over 400 grams of Penalty Group 1 substances.
You might beat a drug trafficking case with the help of a Fort Bend drug trafficking attorney. Your lawyer can gather evidence and interview witnesses to build a solid defense strategy based on the weaknesses found in the prosecution’s case. They can also work to get your charges dismissed entirely, or they could argue for an acquittal in court if you decide not to take a plea bargain.
The Lone Star State takes all drug crimes very seriously, especially trafficking. If you’ve been accused of trafficking in controlled substances, you need to hire a Fort Bend drug trafficking lawyer who can provide you with legal advice, guidance, and representation following your arrest.
You can trust the team here at Greco Neyland, PC, with your case. Founding partners Jeff Greco and Dustan Neyland both worked for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office prior to starting their own criminal law practice, giving them a unique perspective on how the courtroom process operates. Every case that comes across our desk gets our personal attention, and we are always just a phone call or email away. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.
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