Cobb County Grandmother Arrested for Trafficking Drugs After House Raid

Patricia Dearing, a grandmother in Cobb County, has been arrested for allegedly trafficking and storing over 13 pounds of marijuana and firearms in her home.

According to reports, a narcotics team raided the property last Thursday and seized the marijuana, assault rifles, shotguns, and various handguns.

As of right now - authorities do not believe that Dearing was working alone. She is currently facing 13 different felony charges in Cobb County.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline the offense of trafficking marijuana in today's post so as to provide a clearer understanding of the crime as well as the punishment that can potentially come with conviction.

Trafficking Marijuana in Georgia

Georgia Law defines trafficking marijuana in Georgia in O.C.G.A. §16-13-31 as:

When someone sells, manufactures, grows, delivers, brings into this state, or has possession of a quantity of marijuana exceeding ten pounds.

Most people - especially in today's age - believe that marijuana has been decriminalized in every state. This is not the case. Especially not in Georgia.

Marijuana is regulated under the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. Marijuana is not considered a scheduled substance - however, it is still very much regulated.

Trafficking marijuana is classified as a felony. 

The penalty for trafficking marijuana in an amount over 10 pounds but less than 2,000 pounds requires at least a five-year prison sentence and shall pay a fine of $100,000.00. For an amount between 2,000 and 10,000 pounds requires a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of $250,000.00. For an amount above 10,000 pounds, the minimum sentence is fifteen years with a fine of $1 million.

Practice Note

There are situations in which a person is improperly and inaccurately charged with drug offenses in Georgia. These are the situations in which a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney can help.

There are legal defenses that might be able to fully dismiss the charges or at least mitigate the punishments. If you or a loved one has been arrested, contact us today.