South Carolina Trafficking Crack Law

Lexington Drug Trafficking Defense Attorney

South Carolina Drug trafficking is a serious criminal offense in South Carolina. Trafficking in crack cocaine is prosecuted as one of the most serious offenses. Under South Carolina law trafficking in crack cocaine is defined as the possession of 10 or more grams. Penalties for trafficking in crack can be as high as 25-30 years depending on the defendant's prior criminal history. Even first time offenders can face minimum sentencing of at least 25 years depending on the amount of crack charged with possessing.

Most crack trafficking arrests develop in one of three ways:

During the search of an automobile
During the search of a home or business
After a controlled buy using a police informant

In all cases the State must prove the defendant was in possession of the the drugs. There is no requirement that the State prove distribution or any specific criminal scheme.

In challenging a drug trafficking case there are usually issues regarding the legality of the police in conducting any search or obtaining a search warrant. There also may be issues of entrapment whenever a confidential informant working for the police is involved in setting up a transaction to buy or sell any significant amount of crack cocaine. We consider all aspects of the case, including police and informant conduct, in developing a defense for our client.

The lower limit for trafficking crack in South Carolina was set at 10 grams. Since the law was established the street price for crack cocaine has steadily declined while the supply has increased. According to documentation produced by the Justice Department's National Drug Intelligence Center crack prices can be as low as $27 per gram. This means that holding less than $300 worth of the drug can subject a defendant to the vastly increased penalties for trafficking.

We represent clients charged with trafficking in crack in Columbia, Lexington, Saluda and elsewhere in South Carolina. Contact the Drug Trafficking Defense Attorney at the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, to begin working to protect your freedom and liberty from any State or Federal Trafficking or other Drug Crime. Call us at 1-866-252-5789.