Tucson Drug Manufacturing Defense Lawyer

Defending Drug Manufacturing Cases in Arizona

Methamphetamine and MDMA are among the most common drugs leading to manufacturing charges in Arizona state and federal courts.

Manufacturing narcotics and dangerous drugs is a very serious crime in Arizona.  While manufacturing of drugs most often brings up images of the manufacture of methamphetamine, it can apply to making drugs such as MDMA ("Ecstacy"/"Molly"), PCP, DMT, GHB, synthetic cannabinoids, and over 100 different chemical compounds, which qualify as dangerous drugs under Arizona law.  Cultivation of marijuana is similarly regarded and punished, as is the manufacture of concentrates.  If you or a loved one has been charged with the manufacture, trafficking, sale, cultivation, or even possession of a narcotic or dangerous drug in Arizona, know that Arizona has some of the harshest drug laws in the country, but that drug cases are defensible, and it is possible to avoid some of the most serious consequences.  Contact the Tucson Defenders today for a FREE CONSULTATION with a Tucson Criminal Defense Attorney.  520-585-5757.

RELATED ARTICLES:
Marijuana Cultivation, Drug Trafficking, Drug Crimes, Marijuana Crimes, Federal Crimes
Importing Drugs

ARIZONA MANUFACTURING LAWS
Under Arizona law, it is a Class 2 felony to manufacture a dangerous or narcotic drug.  This means that as a first offense, manufacturing a dangerous or narcotic drug is punishable by up to 12.5 years in prison.  Penalties are further enhanced for repeat offenders.  A serious drug offender, a defendant who is convicted of a drug offense that is part of a pattern of drug crimes is punishable by life imprisonment.  Manufacturing methamphetamine under conditions that cause injury to a minor is also a Class 2 felony, but is punishable by up to 27 years in prison (37 years if defendant has a prior conviction of a predicate felony).  Even just possessing, selling, transferring, etc. of precursor used to make narcotics or dangerous drugs is a felony in Arizona.  Manufacturing of a misbranded drug is a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to 3.75 years in prison for a first time offender, and more for repeat offenders.  Arizona's drug laws are harsh and complex.  Fighting your case requires a strong grasp of the law, your constitutional rights, and experience defending serious drug crimes.  Arizona and Tucson, each have special task forces to abate drug manufacturing operations, and aggressively seek out and prosecute both small and large labs that manufacture methamphetamine, MDMA, and other drugs.

FEDERAL MANUFACTURING LAWS
Federal drug cases .  In the US District Courts in Arizona, there is a strong emphasis on drug smuggling, with the proximity of the US-Mexico border, and accordingly, many of the federal drug cases in Tucson pertain to drugs manufactured in Mexico, and are therefore drug trafficking crimes, not manufacturing.  Still, there are manufacturing cases in federal court, and they are very serious.  As are federal trafficking and importation cases.  In most federal drug manufacturing cases, defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, and might face larger mandatory minimums, and sentences as high as life for larger quantities of drugs.  Federal drug laws are even harsher than Arizona's already harsh drug laws, and those who find themselves facing federal drug charges are going up against the United States government in a difficult fight for their freedom.  The Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA"), Customs and Border Patrol ("CBP") and other federal and local agencies seek out drug manufacturing operations using sophisticated technology and investigative tactics, including the use of tracking devices, confidential informants, and more.

POSSIBLE DEFENSES IN MANUFACTURING CASES
Constitutional Violations - Your lawyer can suppress physical evidence and statements obtained in violation of the defendant's rights.
Lack of Knowledge/Mistake of Fact - a person who unknowingly possesses precursors and chemicals used to make illegal drugs, thinking that the substance is something else has a defense.
Wrong Person - Roommates, landlords, and other cohabitants are often mistakenly blamed for another person's illegal activity, including the manufacture of drugs.
Plea Bargaining - Even in cases with strong evidence of guilt, it may be possible to mitigate the punishment and charges in a drug manufacturing case.

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN ARRESTED OR CHARGED WITH A SERIOUS DRUG OFFENSE IN ARIZONA, WHETHER IN STATE OR FEDERAL COURT, CONTACT THE TUCSON DEFENDERS FOR A FREE CONSULTATION TO DISCUSS YOUR CASE WITH A TUCSON CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER.
520-585-5757.

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Pima County Superior Court
US District Court Arizona (Tucson)
Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA")
Arizona DPS - Narcotics
Tucson Police Department

AZ Drug Crimes Definitions (ARS 13-3401)
AZ Dangerous Drugs Statute (ARS 13-3407)
AZ Narcotic Drugs Statute (ARS 13-3408)
Federal Drug Statute (21 U.S.C. 841)