Lustberg Law Offices, LLC

Drug Trafficking Penalties in New Jersey

Drug trafficking, a major focus of New Jersey drug laws, is the act of selling illegal drugs in large quantities. It is more serious than possession and carries harsher penalties. In New Jersey, drug trafficking laws are designed to impose significant consequences on those involved in this illegal activity. In addition to hefty fines, a conviction for drug trafficking can ruin your life forever. A criminal record can affect everything from your job opportunities to housing options. You may also be prohibited from owning a firearm and will lose your federal benefits and driver’s license.

The State of NJ, under its stringent New Jersey drug laws, has some of the strictest drug trafficking laws in the country. Its severe punishments target major narcotics distribution operations and are designed to deter crime and keep the public safe. If you have been accused of selling meth or any other controlled dangerous substance in bulk, you will be facing drug trafficking charges. Convictions for drug trafficking in New Jersey, as per the New Jersey drug laws, carry stiff prison terms, fines, and forfeiture of assets. In some cases, drug trafficking violations can even result in mandatory minimum sentences.

A person can be charged with drug trafficking under New Jersey drug laws if they possess any drug in an amount larger than what is needed for personal use, and if law enforcement finds other evidence of intent to distribute, including scales, baggies, and other paraphernalia. It is not necessary for police to catch you in the act of selling. A person can be charged with drug trafficking in the event of an undercover investigation or if they are found with drugs and other evidence of intent to sell, such as scales, bags, packaging, and other paraphernalia.

Intent to distribute drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia is considered a third-degree felony in New Jersey, a classification outlined in the state’s drug laws. However, if you are found with a larger quantity of the drug, or certain types of drugs such as heroin and cocaine, your charge will escalate to a first-degree felony offense. First-degree felony drug charges have much tougher prison terms than other New Jersey felony crimes and they will also result in more substantial fines.

If you are found with a large enough quantity of drugs or certain types of drugs, or both, to make you the leader of a drug trafficking network, you could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Leaders of narcotics networks who engage in interstate smuggling or other serious drug-related crimes face racketeering charges, which can carry stiff prison terms and a loss of civil rights and privileges, as per New Jersey drug laws.


Cocaine Regulations in NJ

In New Jersey, like most states, cocaine possession is taken very seriously and is classified as a felony under state law, following the strict guidelines of New Jersey drug laws. The drug is considered a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning that it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse or addiction. Other substances classified as Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD, peyote, and ecstasy. In comparison, marijuana is a Schedule II substance, which means it has some accepted medical uses and is less dangerous than Schedule I drugs, according to New Jersey drug laws.

Cocaine is typically transported into New Jersey by criminal groups that sell it locally. The DEA reports that criminal alliances distribute large amounts of the drug in NJ cities. Some of the powdered cocaine that enters the state is then converted to crack cocaine at street-level operations. Local criminal groups and independent dealers then sell these drugs throughout the state. The harsh penalties for these activities are a direct result of New Jersey drug laws.

Drug trafficking of cocaine in the state is often accompanied by violence and turf wars between distributors and users. The DEA reports that criminals involved in the distribution of cocaine commit drive-by shootings, drug-related homicides, robberies, and rip-offs. The drug is also frequently abused by members of gangs such as the Latin Kings, Bloods, and Netas. These activities are targeted under New Jersey drug laws, which aim to reduce drug-related crimes.

Possession of cocaine in the state is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $75,000, as stipulated by New Jersey drug laws. Police officers may search your person or property for the presence of cocaine only when they have probable cause or a warrant. In most cases, this is only possible if the officer has witnessed an actual offense or knows of specific circumstances that would lead to probable cause.

Cocaine abusers in the state typically smoke or snort the drug. Specifically, the drug is most commonly smoked by African American men over 26 and Caucasian men. In addition to smoking the drug, people in New Jersey can also snort it or mix it with other drugs to make methamphetamine. The prevalence of these methods of abuse is a concern under New Jersey drug laws.

A criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights if you are arrested for drug-related crimes including cocaine possession and intent to distribute. He or she can try to have the charges against you dropped and help you get into a diversionary program if you are found guilty. 

NJ Synthetic Drug Legislation

The state Division of Consumer Affairs made a temporary ban on synthetic marijuana permanent, aligning it with the stringent New Jersey drug laws, and putting it in the same legal category as cocaine and heroin. The substance, marketed as herbal incense or bath salts, has been linked to health issues ranging from increased heart rates and blood pressure to hallucinations and suicidal thoughts. It is sold in convenience stores and gas stations and at shops that sell smoking paraphernalia, especially in suburban and college communities. The ban also makes it illegal to possess a wide range of chemicals used to make the drug, including the popular ingredients known as JWH-018 and 2CE.

The move follows a tragic incident involving a Rutgers student. She had been using K2 for years, even after a previous ban on the drug in 2012. Officials believe this latest ban under the New Jersey drug laws will save lives. However, critics argue that banning classes of substances instead of regulating them leads to overcriminalization. They point out that backyard chemists can circumvent bans by making small molecular tweaks to their products.

Proponents of the new ban, reflecting the severity of New Jersey drug laws, cite a recent rise in hospital visits by teens in Robbinsville, Hamilton, and Rider University who have suffered from the drug’s side effects. They also note a spike in fentanyl-related deaths in the state, a powerful opioid that is 100 times more potent than heroin.

In response to the crisis, a coalition including the police union and the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey, emphasized the urgency of adhering to New Jersey drug laws. They highlighted statistics showing that drug overdoses have doubled since 2011.

In light of New Jersey drug laws, Senator Paul Sarlo, who sponsored the legislation, referred to dealers of the drug as "kingpins" and advocated for severe penalties as a deterrent. He plans to introduce additional legislation to increase penalties for selling and manufacturing the drug.

Individuals charged with possession of a synthetic drug in New Jersey should understand the implications of these laws. Consulting an experienced defense lawyer is crucial. They can review your case and determine eligibility for diversionary programs, such as pre-trial intervention or drug court, which might allow charges to be dismissed after a period of probation. Representation is available for people from all walks of life, including those from lower income backgrounds, ensuring a robust defense against the charges.


Lustberg Law Offices, LLC

Lustberg Law Offices, LLC

One University Plaza Dr Suite 210, Hackensack, NJ 07601, United States

(201) 880-5311