Fentanyl Seems To Be Everywhere And The Legal Ramifications Are Massive

When Fentanyl Is Hidden In Or Mixed With Other Drugs, Penalties May Increase 

Drug arrests are some of the most common arrests in the United States. These arrests, and criminal drug activity in general, usually intersect with drug addiction. Dealers sell to addicts and addicts keep sellers in business.   

Many addicts, whether by choice or by circumstance, are using fentanyl, a drug so dangerous that even a dose as small as two grains of sand can be lethal. Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any other cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, or suicide.  

There has been a recent rise in the number of busts involving fentanyl. The police take this risk incredibly seriously, especially because fentanyl is getting sprinkled into so many substances used and sold via illicit means. Fentanyl is an incredibly cheap substance to produce and very potent, which is partially why it’s being used in place of other “traditional” drugs. 

People are using pill presses to manufacture fake painkillers presented as run-of-the-mill prescription pills like Xanax or oxycontin, but the pills often contain different, more dangerous substances, such as fentanyl. This leads to many overdoses affecting people who don’t even realize that they’re using fentanyl.  

The dangers related to the use, sale, and production of fentanyl makes it a popular target for prosecution. 

Fentanyl makes it more serious 

When someone is facing drug charges, it may come as a surprise that they are facing greater penalties because the drugs they sold contained fentanyl. It does not matter if that person knew the drugs contained fentanyl; in Pennsylvania, all the person had to know is that they delivered a controlled substance (of any sort).  

No matter what the purity, if there is fentanyl in the compound mixture, the penalties are much higher in Pennsylvania. It doesn’t matter if the primary compound is heroin, cocaine, synthetics or pressed pills. If it contains fentanyl or its derivatives, the crime is treated much more harshly than other drugs on the market. 

Exploring defense options 

Facing any criminal charge is frightening, but drug crimes in particular can carry very harsh penalties. For anyone charged with a drug crime in Pennsylvania, it is advisable to seek aggressive criminal defense help as soon as possible. 

The importance of taking prompt action 

A conviction for serious drug charges can lead to years or even decades behind bars, along with tens of thousands of dollars or more in fines. This can be a life-changing event.  

It is absolutely crucial that you understand all of your legal defense options. Connecting with an experienced legal professional as soon as possible is critically important for this reason.  

The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice nor does it create an attorney-client relationship.