Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network

Toms River NJ Drug Kingpin Defense Lawyer

One of the most serious drug offenses an individual can face at the Superior Court in Toms River is being the Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network. This charge targets those who organize, finance, manage, or supervise a cds manufacturing or distribution operation. An individual is exposed to extraordinary penalties if they are convicted of this offense, including the possibility of life in prison. Consequences as extreme as these require that you select an attorney who is highly qualified to defend you. A drug kingpin charge is not something to risk with an inexperienced criminal lawyer. The attorneys at Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have been handling complex cds cases arising in Toms River, Lakewood, Brick, Berkeley, Jackson, Manchester and elsewhere in Ocean County for decades. In fact, our former prosecutors and skilled lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience representing clients at the county courthouse in Toms River. Contact our office at (732) 286-6500 for a free immediate consultation.

How Does the Prosecutor Prove that I was the Leader of a Drug Trafficking Network?

Given the extreme nature of charge for being a leader of a drug trafficking/distribution network, the proofs necessary to convict someone under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-3 are significant. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office or Office of the Attorney General must establish, beyond reasonable doubt, that:

1. The substance involved is either methamphetamine, lysergic acid diethylamide, phencyclidine gamma hydroxybutyrate, flunitrazepam, or one of the controlled dangerous substances classified in Schedule I or II such as cocaine, heroin or marijuana;
2. There was a scheme or course of conduct to manufacture, distribute, dispense, bring into, or transport the substance into, Ocean County, New Jersey;
3. It was done unlawfully;
4. For Profit;
5. The defendant acted purposely to promote or facilitate the scheme or course of conduct;
6. There was an agreement between the defendant and at least one other person that they or one of them would commit, attempt, or solicit the commission of, that crime, or it must be proved that the agreement was to aid another person or persons in planning, committing, attempting, or soliciting the crime; and
7. The defendant was either an organizer, supervisor, financier, or manager of the conspiracy.

New Jersey has constructed specific definitions for some of the above mentioned terms, which make an offender eligible for this charge. “Organizers” are persons who arrange or plan the drug trafficking network. “Financiers” are persons who provide money or some other form of capital in order to purchase a controlled dangerous substance or otherwise bankroll a drug trafficking network, with intent to make a profit from such an investment. A “supervisor” is a person who oversees the operations of the drug trafficking, and a “manager” directs the operations of the network. While these often overlap for individual offenders, only one is required to make a person eligible for the charge. It is entirely possible for more than one person to be charged as the “leader” of a drug trafficking network.

Penalties If You Are Convicted Of This Offense. Leader of a Drug Trafficking Network is a first degree crime in Ocean County, New Jersey. If convicted, a defendant faces a term of life imprisonment, with a mandatory twenty-five (25) years before becoming parole eligible. The fine associated with this charge is either $750,000 or five (5) times the street value of the drugs involved, whichever is greater. Additionally, the court may suspend the defendant’s driver’s license for up to two (2) years.

Lakewood NJ Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network Attorney

While every Ocean County offense charging an individual as a drug kingpin must be dealt with in Toms River since this is a first degree crime, certain municipalities have a higher incident of charges for being a leader of a narcotics trafficking network than others. Lakewood would definitely fall within this category with recent high profile convictions at the Superior Court. There have also been several cases arising in Brick over recent years. Irrespective of where in Ocean County your leader of a narcotics trafficking network offense arose, you absolutely must hire a highly experienced criminal defense attorney. This violation is about as bad as you get from the perspective of a defendant so you cannot afford to entrusting your liberty to anyone other than a veteran lawyer. The attorneys at our Toms River firm have over 100 years of collective experience, including significant time serving as prosecutors. One of the lawyers at Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is even a former director of the street drugs task force. To speak to a member of our staff immediately, call 732-286-6500. Your initial consultation is free of charge.

Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, 10 Allen St #2Dreet, Toms River, NJ 08753, defend clients in Toms River who have been charged with being a drug kingpin or leader of a narcotics trafficking network in Lakewood, Brick, Toms River, Lacey, Berkeley, Jackson, Manchester and elsewhere in Ocean County.