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The Law Office Of Mark P. Rankin P.A.
877-620-0898
Attorney Mark P. Rankin sitting on courthouse steps

Providing Experienced And Steadfast Criminal Defense

Attorney Mark P. Rankin sitting on courthouse steps

Federal Drug Conspiracy Attorney With Years Of Dependable Service

Securing prompt legal representation is important in a federal drug conspiracy charge. Attorney Mark P. Rankin of The Law Office of Mark P. Rankin, P.A., will handle your case aggressively and compassionately. After more than 25 years of fighting for his clients, you can expect him to deliver the same level of skill and level of professionalism when he represents you in court.

What Is A Federal Drug Conspiracy?

Under federal law, a drug conspiracy is a crime that involves two or more people who agree to commit a federal drug crime and at least one person takes a substantial step toward committing the crime. Even if the narcotics trafficking does not occur, a conspiracy may have occurred and could be prosecuted. Importantly, a conspiracy must involve two people – neither of whom can be a cooperator or a law enforcement agent. Should you face conviction for a conspiracy, the sentencing is the same as if you had performed the drug crime successfully. In fact, it could be worse because in some instances you can be held responsible for things your co-conspirators did.

Federal drug conspiracies tend to differ from state investigations because the primary focus centers around large-scale cartels and criminal organizations. That said, in recent years the United States Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Florida has focused on smaller-scale drug cases. In federal cases, multiple agencies may be involved, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Investigations may occur for years to properly establish a case. Agencies work with financial forensics to follow a money trail, execute undercover buys in a manner that increases the quantities of narcotics involved and conduct wiretaps that capture alleged conspirators’ conversations.

How Wiretapping Becomes Part Of Drug Conspiracies

Title III sets strict standards on federal wiretapping:

  • Investigators must establish probable cause that a major crime is currently underway or has been completed.
  • Law enforcement must demonstrate that traditional investigative techniques have been tried and failed, or that those techniques are too dangerous to employ.
  • Agents must stop monitoring when they realize a conversation is personal or noncriminal.

Should officers fail to meet these expectations, defense attorneys can file a motion to suppress the evidence and potentially weaken the case.

Key Factors That Influence A Defendant’s Sentencing

A defendant can face severe penalties, often determined by the total weight of the drug mixture involved. Defendants also face increased penalties for firearm possession, use of a stash house, leadership roles, and prior criminal history. High purity can also lead to increased penalties or higher guideline calculations for certain substances.

Schedule A Consultation With A Federal Drug Conspiracy Lawyer

If you are facing a federal drug charge, immediate legal action is crucial. Attorney Mark P. Rankin can step in and help you navigate this critical situation. You may reach him by calling 877-620-0898 or sending an email.