The Residual Effects of Drug Trafficking

Of all the drug offences in Canada, drug trafficking generally has the harshest penalties. The jail terms and fines are frequently much greater than those for distribution and possession. Under Canadian law, drug trafficking is not just limited to selling drugs, but sharing them, as well.

Under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act of 1996, drug trafficking is defined as

selling, administering, giving, transferring, transporting, sending, or delivering a controlled substance or authorizing someone to acquire the controlled substance.

The list of drugs ruled illegal in Canada is extensive. Some include:

• Cocaine: Cocaine use in Canada is very low with less than 2% of the general population considered habitual users. Even though the percentage of users is low, cocaine is singularly responsible for the highest expenditures for the Canadian criminal justice system second only to alcohol.
• Ecstasy/Molly/MDMA: Ecstasy use is limited to less than 1% of Canadians 15 years old or older. However, the drug is somewhat popular with kids in the 10th to 12th grade. One in 25 reported having used ecstasy at least once from 2016 to 2017. Unfortunately for the user, this drug is often mixed with other synthetic ingredients and occasionally does not contain any of the active ingredient (MDMA) at all.
• Methamphetamine: Less than 0.2% of Canadians use meth. It is most popular among young people between the 7th and 12thgrade. The availability of the drug has decreased in recent years because of aggressive arrests and seizures between 2010 and 2017.
• Heroin
• Date rape Drugs

Those convicted of drug trafficking face long prison terms unless the circumstances of their case are exceptional. A drug trafficking defence lawyer can help even with the most complicated cases.

The Effects of Trafficking Drugs

According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction, expenses related to the use and abuse of illegal drugs costs every tax-paying Canadian $725 a year. The financial outlays are for governmental treatment programs and facilities, litigation, law enforcement, etc. The street value of drugs seized is in the billions of dollars.

Consequences for being convicted of drug trafficking include:

• Difficulty acquiring employment
• Challenges in being approved for rental housing
• A permanent criminal record
• The inability to acquire or keep a professional license
• Restricted child custody or a loss of custody
• Stigma in the community
• The inability to travel outside the country

Drug Trafficking Defence Lawyers in Ontario

The experienced lawyers at Kruse Law understand the serious nature of drug trafficking charges and the seriousness of the situation.

If you are facing drug charges, do not automatically plead guilty. Speak with a skilled legal professional before making any other decisions about your case. You have rights and they deserve to be protected.

Call +1-800-699-0806 today or schedule a free consultation to discuss how Kruse Law will fight for you.