2018 Douglas County Case Results in 35 Year Sentence for Methamphetamine

A local man has been convicted and sentenced this past week in Douglas County for an incident that occurred in 2018.

Reports show that the man was discovered sleeping in his pickup truck by two individuals. They called police and when they arrived on scene, they woke him up and ordered him to get out of the vehicle. He admitted to having a gun and it was determined that he had an active warrant - however, after a K-9 search of the vehicle, a backpack full of methamphetamine was discovered in the backseat. The man has been convicted of trafficking methamphetamine as well as possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime. He has been sentenced to thirty-five years.

Despite the nationwide opioid epidemic, methamphetamine remains arguably the most dangerous drug in the state of Georgia. According to the CDC, deaths related to methamphetamine use have increased by 250%. As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I handle cases involving accusations and charges relating to methamphetamine quite often. In today's post, I will outline the law behind trafficking methamphetamine which is the most serious of methamphetamine charges.

Trafficking Methamphetamine in Georgia

Trafficking Methamphetamine in Georgia is defined in the Georgia Code in O.C.G.A. §16-13-31 (e) as:

Any person who knowingly sells, delivers, or brings into this state or has possession of 28 grams or more of methamphetamine, amphetamine, or any mixture containing either methamphetamine or amphetamine, as described in Schedule II, in violation of this article commits the felony offense of trafficking in methamphetamine or amphetamine and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as follows:

(1) If the quantity of methamphetamine, amphetamine, or a mixture containing either substance involved is 28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and shall pay a fine of $200,000.00;

(2) If the quantity of methamphetamine, amphetamine, or a mixture containing either substance involved is 200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and shall pay a fine of $300,000.00; and

(3) If the quantity of methamphetamine, amphetamine, or a mixture containing either substance involved is 400 grams or more, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 25 years and shall pay a fine of $1 million.

Practice Note

Drug crimes in Georgia are penalized severely. Most people are incorrectly under the impression that since certain narcotics are becoming less criminalized that all drug offenses are being taken less seriously. This is not the case.

If you have been arrested in relation to narcotics or any other crime, call our offices now.