Over the last several years, there has been a tremendous rise in prescription drug abuse throughout the Tampa Bay area. Many of our clients are finding themselves charged with Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (with Oxycodone being the flavor of the month), Doctor Shopping and Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud.
However, things are starting to spiral out of control when a 4-year old child at the Tampa International Airport is found to possess a bag of Skittles candy full of Oxycodone pills. Obviously there was some type of mistake as these pills have a “street value” of about $15.00 a pill.Blake & Dorsten, P.A. has handled dozens of Prescription Drug Cases over the last year. Many times, these cases involve very harsh penalties including minimum/mandatory prison sentences. Some would say that our criminal justice system has gone too far with these draconian penalties.
BEWARE: In the State of Florida, you can be charged with Trafficking in Illegal Drugs based on the weight of the drug(s) alone. You do not have to be a “drug dealer” or sell anything to be charged with Trafficking. Simple possession of a bottle of pills, without a legal prescription, can land you in prison for up to 30 years.
For more information, including the original St. Petersburg Times article, click here
If you or a family member has been arrested for a Drug Offense or a Drug Trafficking charge, the Blake & Dorsten, P.A. will be there for you. 365/24/7. Please contact us at 727.286.6141.