The manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver an illegal drug is referred to as drug trafficking, and, for most illegal substances, carries a felony sentence in Texas.
Drug trafficking is a more serious violation than possession and requires a greater burden of proof. Texas prosecutors will target a conviction for drug trafficking if they believe you are in possession of a large quantity of a controlled substance and/or if they believe you to have paraphernalia common to distribution. The State may employ any number of strategies to win a conviction on drug trafficking, and a robust legal defense will find the flaws in their assumptions at every possible turn.
Austin Drug Trafficking Attorney
If you are facing drug trafficking charges under Texas law, call The Law Office of Kevin Bennett at (512) 476-4626 today. Kevin Bennett can assist in cases involving delivery of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, prescription drugs, paraphernalia, and all penalty groups of controlled substances.
You should not admit defeat in the face of trafficking charges. A dedicated drug crimes defense attorney in Austin can pick apart the state’s allegations against you, including how you were targeted for a search, how the search was performed, which evidence was collected, and your knowledge of the evidence in question.
Information Center for Drug Trafficking in Texas
- Texas Drug Trafficking Offenses
- Texas Health & Safety § 481.112
- Texas Health & Safety § 481.1121
- Texas Health & Safety § 481.1122
- Texas Health & Safety § 481.113
- Texas Health & Safety § 481.114
- Texas Health & Safety § 481.119
- Texas Health & Safety § 481.120
- Texas Health & Safety § 481.122
- Texas Health & Safety § 481.124
- Texas Health & Safety § 481.125
- Texas Health & Safety § 481.137
- Texas Health & Safety § 481.141
- Hire a Qualified Austin Attorney for Drug Trafficking in Texas
Texas Drug Trafficking Offenses
- Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group 1
- Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group 1-A
- Manufacture of Substance in Penalty Group 1: Presence of Child
- Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group 2 or 2-A
- Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group 3 or 4
- Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession of Miscellaneous Substances
- Delivery of Marihuana
- Delivery of Controlled Substance or Marihuana to Child
- Possession or Transport of Certain Chemicals with Intent to Manufacture Controlled Substance
- Possession or Transport of Anhydrous Ammonia; Use of or Tampering with Equipment
- Delivery of Drug Paraphernalia
- Transfer of Precursor Substance for Unlawful Manufacture
- Manufacture or Delivery of Controlled Substance Causing Death or Serious Bodily Injury
Texas Health & Safety § 481.112
Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group 1 A person commits an offense if the person knowingly manufactures, delivers, or possesses with intent to deliver a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1.
Substances in Penalty Group 1 include cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, opium, methadone, methamphetamine, ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol, and others.
Penalties are:
| Penalty Group | Sentence | Weight (gram) | Prison term | Fine |
| Group 1 | State Jail Felony | <1 g | 180 days – 2 years | < $10,000 |
| Second Degree Felony | 1 g–4 g | 2-20 years | < $10,000 | |
| First Degree Felony | 4 g–200 g | 5-99 years | < $10,000 | |
| Life Felony | 200 g–400 g | 10-99 years | < $100,000 | |
| Life Felony | >400 g | 15-99 years | < $250,000 |
Texas Health & Safety § 481.1121
Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group 1-A A person commits an offense if the person knowingly manufactures, delivers, or possesses with intent to deliver a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1-A.
Substances in Penalty Group 1-A include lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
Penalties are:
| Penalty Group | Sentence | Abuse Units | Prison term | Fine |
| Group 1-A | State Jail Felony | <20 | 180 days – 2 years | < $10,000 |
| Second Degree Felony | 20-80 | 2-20 years | < $10,000 | |
| First Degree Felony | 80-4,000 | 5-99 years | < $10,000 | |
| Life Felony | >4,000 | 15-99 years | < $250,000 |
Texas Health & Safety § 481.1122
Manufacture of Substance in Penalty Group 1: Presence of Child If it is shown at the punishment phase of a trial for the manufacture of a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1 that when the offense was committed a child younger than 18 years of age was present on the premises where the offense was committed:
- State Jail Felony is increased to a Second Degree Felony
- Second Degree Felony is increased to a First Degree Felony
- Life Felony with minimum imprisonment of 10 years is increased to a minimum of 15 years with the possible fine increased to $150,000
- Life Felony with minimum imprisonment of 15 years is increased to a minimum of 20 years with the possible fine increased to $300,000
Texas Health & Safety § 481.113
Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group 2 or 2-A A person commits an offense if the person knowingly manufactures, delivers, or possesses with intent to deliver a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 2 or 2-A.
Substances in Penalty Group 2 and 2-A include hallucinogenic substances such as DET, mescaline, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), synthetic cannabis, and amphetamine. Penalties are:
| Penalty Group | Sentence | Weight (gram) | Prison term | Fine |
| Group 2 or 2-A | State Jail Felony | <1 g | 180 days – 2 years | < $10,000 |
| Second Degree Felony | 1-4 g | 2-20 years | < $10,000 | |
| First Degree Felony | 4-400 g | 5-99 years | < $10,000 | |
| Life Felony | >400 g | 10-99 | < $100,000 |
Texas Health & Safety § 481.114
Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group 3 or 4 A person commits an offense if the person knowingly manufactures, delivers, or possesses with the intent to deliver a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 3 or 4.
Substances in Penalty Group 3 include Methylphenidate, Phenmetrazine, barbituric acid, amobarbital, secobarbital, pentobarbital, Peyote, less than 1.8 grams of codeine, less than 300 milligrams of hydrocodone, and anabolic steroids.
Substances in Penalty Group 4 include narcotic drugs containing at least one nonnarcotic active medical ingredient.
Penalties are:
| Penalty Group | Sentence | Weight (gram) | Prison term | Fine |
| Group 3 or 4 | State Jail Felony | <28 g | 180 days – 2 years | < $10,000 |
| Second Degree Felony | 28-200 g | 2-20 years | < $10,000 | |
| First Degree Felony | 200-400 g | 5-99 years | < $10,000 | |
| Life Felony | >400 g | 10-99 | < $100,000 |
Texas Health & Safety § 481.119
Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession of Miscellaneous Substances A person commits an offense if the person knowingly manufactures, delivers, or possesses with intent to deliver a controlled substance listed in a schedule by an action of the commissioner under this chapter but not listed in a penalty group. An offense under this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor.
A Class A misdemeanor carries a punishment of up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, or both.
Texas Health & Safety § 481.120
Delivery of Marihuana A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally delivers marihuana.
If the marijuana delivery is not a sale, and the amount is less than one-quarter ounce, the penalty is a Class B misdemeanor. If money is exchanged, the penalty increases to a Class A misdemeanor.
Penalties are:
| Penalty Group | Sentence | Weight | Prison term | Fine |
| Marihuana | Class B misdemeanor | <1/4 oz | <180 days | < $2,000 |
| Class A misdemeanor | <1/4 oz | <1 year | < $4,000 | |
| State Jail Felony | ¼ oz – 5 lbs | 180 days – 2 years | < $10,000 | |
| Second Degree Felony | 5-50 lbs | 2-20 years | < $10,000 | |
| First Degree Felony | 50-2,000 lbs | 5-99 years | < $10,000 | |
| Life Felony | >2,000 lbs | 10-99 years | < $100,000 |
Texas Health & Safety § 481.122
Delivery of Controlled Substance or Marihuana to Child A person person commits an offense if the person knowingly delivers a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1, 1-A, 2, or 3 or knowingly delivers marihuana to a minor.
The alleged offender may use an affirmative defense in the trial if it can be shown they:
- were under the age of 21 at the time of the offense;
- delivered only marijuana in an amount equal to or less than one-quarter ounce; and
- exchanged no money.
Delivery of a controlled substance or marijuana to a child is a felony of the second degree. Punishments can range from 2 to 20 years imprisonment in addition to a possible fine of up to $10,000.
Texas Health & Safety § 481.124
Possession or Transport of Certain Chemicals with Intent to Manufacture Controlled Substance A person commits an offense if, with intent to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance, the person possesses or transports:
- anhydrous ammonia;
- an immediate precursor; or
- a chemical precursor of an additional chemical substance named as a precursor by the director
The statute continues with examples that would indicate intent to manufacture methamphetamines, including:
- anhydrous ammonia in a container or receptacle that is not designed and manufactured to lawfully hold or transport anhydrous ammonia;
- lithium metal removed from a battery and immersed in kerosene, mineral spirits, or similar liquid that prevents or retards hydration; or
- in one container, vehicle, or building, phenylacetic acid, or more than nine grams, three containers packaged for retail sale, or 300 tablets or capsules of a product containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, and:
- anhydrous ammonia;
- at least three of the following categories of substances commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine:
- lithium or sodium metal or red phosphorus, iodine, or iodine crystals;
- lye, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, or muriatic acid;
- an organic solvent, including ethyl ether, alcohol, or acetone;
- a petroleum distillate, including naphtha, paint thinner, or charcoal lighter fluid; or
- aquarium, rock, or table salt; or
- at least three of the following items:
- an item of equipment subject to regulation under Section 481.080, if the person is not registered under Section 481.063; or
- glassware, a plastic or metal container, tubing, a hose, or other item specially designed, assembled, or adapted for use in the manufacture, processing, analyzing, storing, or concealing of methamphetamine.
Penalties are:
| Penalty Group | Sentence | Prison term | Fine |
| Group 1 or 1-A | Second Degree Felony | 2-20 years | < $10,000 |
| Group 2 | Third Degree Felony | 2-10 years | < $10,000 |
| Group 3 or 4 | State Jail Felony | 180 days-2 years | < $10,000 |
| Listed by an act of the commissioner | Class A misdemeanor | < 1 year | < $4,000 |
Texas Health & Safety § 481.1245 Possession or Transport of Anhydrous Ammonia; Use of or Tampering with Equipment A person commits an offense if the person possesses or transports
- anhydrous ammonia in a container or receptacle that is not designed or manufactured to hold or transport anhydrous ammonia;
- uses, transfers, or sells a container or receptacle that is designed or manufactured to hold anhydrous ammonia without the express consent of the owner of the container or receptacle; or
- tampers with equipment that is manufactured or used to hold, apply, or transport anhydrous ammonia without the express consent of the owner of the equipment.
The offense is considered a felony of the third degree. Convictions are punishable by imprisonment for 2 to 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
Texas Health & Safety § 481.125
Possession or Delivery of Drug Paraphernalia A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally delivers, possesses with intent to deliver, or manufactures with intent to deliver drug paraphernalia knowing that the person who receives or who is intended to receive the drug paraphernalia intends that it be used to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, or conceal a controlled substance in violation of this chapter or to inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance in violation of this chapter.
The penalty for delivery of drug paraphernalia is a Class A misdemeanor, allowing the state to imprison the offender for a term not to exceed one year and/or a fine of up to $4,000. If you are over 18 and deliver paraphernalia to someone under 18 (and at least 3 years younger than you), the penalty is enhanced by a minimum sentence of 90 days imprisonment.
Texas Health & Safety § 481.137
Transfer of Precursor Substance for Unlawful Manufacture A person commits an offense if the person sells, transfers, or otherwise furnishes a chemical precursor with the knowledge or intent that the recipient will use the chemical precursor to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance or controlled substance analog.
A conviction carries a third-degree felony with punishment of 2 to 10 years imprisonment and fine of up to $10,000.
Texas Health & Safety § 481.141
Manufacture or Delivery of Controlled Substance Causing Death or Serious Bodily Injury If it is determined beyond a reasonable doubt that a person’s death or serious bodily injury was a result of the introduction into the person’s body of a controlled substance manufactured or delivered by the defendant, the defendant’s original delivery penalty will be increased by one degree.
The State of Texas does not take into consideration if the person’s death or injury comes about because the controlled substance was taken in combination with other substances.
The Law Office of Kevin Bennett | A Qualified Austin Attorney for Drug Trafficking in Texas
Make the prosecution work. Hire an experienced attorney that will vigorously challenge drug trafficking charges. Call the The Law Office of Kevin Bennett at (512) 476-4626 to schedule a free consultation to review the allegations against you. Attorney Kevin Bennett can assist with cases in Sunset Valley, Austin, Travis County, Rollingwood, Pflugerville, Lago Vista, Lakeway, West Lake Hills, and the surrounding areas.
