Leader of a Marijuana Trafficking Network

Freehold New Jersey Marijuana Kingpin Defense Attorneys

An extraordinary serious marijuana offense is leader of a drug trafficking network. This charge is always graded as a first degree crime, the most severe penalty level under NJ law. It is therefore imperative that anyone charged / indicted for being the leader of a marijuana trafficking network to retain a highly experienced attorney. The lawyers at our firm, The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can offer you this level of representation and possess over 100 years of collective experience fight drug cases like yours. Whether you were arrested in Keyport, Sea Bright, Red Bank, Ocean, Middletown or any other municipality in Monmouth County, our former prosecutors are equipped to secure a favorable outcome of your marijuana kingpin charge. The following is a brief summary of the important points you want to know about the offense of leader of a marijuana trafficking network. Give our Freehold Office or Red Bank Office at call if you would like to speak to an attorney in a free initial consultation.

Marijuana Trafficking Network Law – N.J.S.A. 2C:35-3

There are several elements under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-3 that must be proven to establish guilt. The prosecutor must prove the following beyond reasonable doubt:

  1. The substance involved was ranked as either a Schedule I or Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (CDS), in this case, marijuana;
  2. The defendant engaged in a scheme or course of conduct to unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense or bring marijuana into the state;
  3. The enterprise was for profit;
  4. The defendant acted towards furthering their scheme or course of conduct;
  5. There was an agreement between the defendant and at least one other person involved that one or more of them would attempt or commit a crime; and
  6. The defendant assumed a role as an organizer, supervisor, financier or manager within the organization.

Sentencing & Penalties

A conviction for “leading a marijuana trafficking network” under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-3 constitutes a first-degree crime. This offense exposes a defendant to a term of life imprisonment, during which he will not be eligible for parole for 25 years. The maximum fine associated with this offense is $750,000, or five times the estimated street value of the drugs involved in the crime, whichever is greater. An individual convicted of this offense is also subject to a mandatory driver’s license suspension of at least six months and as much as two years.

Freehold NJ Marijuana Kingpin Defense Attorney

This offense is obviously far more serious than the standard marijuana distribution charge. The reason is because this specialized law is intended to hammer upper management or financiers of an organized drug distribution ring. If you or a loved one have been questioned, arrested, or indicted for this offense at the Superior Court in Freehold, it is critical that you retain an attorney. The team of attorneys at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall includes former prosecutors with decades of experience successfully defending marijuana charges in Howell, Neptune, Marlboro, Wall, Tinton Falls and elsewhere in Monmouth County. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions during a free initial consultation at (732) 450-8300.