What Happens if You Sell Xanax in Florida?

According to the Addictions Center, Xanax is one of the most popular drugs in the United States – with more prescriptions than any other psychiatric drug. Prescription rates continue to climb, and they have been increasing since 2008. Although it is possible to obtain Xanax through a legal medical prescription, many Florida residents also purchase this drug illegally. What happens if you are caught selling Xanax in Fort Lauderdale, and what kinds of penalties might you face?

Possessing Xanax Without a Prescription Is Illegal in Florida 

First of all, it’s important to note that even if you possess Xanax without a valid prescription, you are breaking the law. This includes not only medication sold under the brand name Xanax, but also all other “benzodiazepine” variants. In the medical world, Xanax is sometimes known as “Alprazolam.”

You should know that these drugs fall into the “Schedule IV” category. Drugs of these types have the potential for psychological dependence, but they are not quite as serious as “harder drugs” in the eyes of the Florida criminal justice system. Simply possessing Xanax without a prescription can be prosecuted as a third-degree felony and you could spend up to five years in prison if convicted.

How Do Prosecutors Determine Whether You Were Selling Xanax? 

There are a number of ways in which the authorities can establish probable cause to say you were selling Xanax. The first involves collecting evidence. Law enforcement officials might witness you selling the drugs to other people, or might pose as buyers and set up controlled transactions. In addition, they may discover bags of cash, written records of drug transactions (including text, “DM,” or WhatsApp messages), and a wide range of other types of evidence.

Another method involves inferring your intent to sell Xanax based on the net weight of the drugs found in your possession. Even more serious is that they can infer an intent to traffic or sell based on the way you separate pills into smaller amounts. Creating several smaller doses by placing the pills into baggies may suggest that you were preparing to sell, or establish what is called “intent.”

In the State of Florida, if you were caught with over four grams of Xanax pills, you may face a mandatory minimum sentence of three years. For higher amounts, it is possible to face a mandatory life sentence. In 2023, the leader of a “Xanax conspiracy” in Florida was sentenced to eight years in prison. This gives you some indication of the penalties associated with serious instances of Xanax trafficking.

Find a Qualified, Experienced Xanax Defense Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale 

If you have been accused of possessing, selling, or trafficking Xanax, your best bet is to get in touch with a Fort Lauderdale drug trafficking lawyer as soon as possible. All defendants have the right to get help from a qualified lawyer, and this is a right that you should take full advantage of. To learn more about the potential consequences of Xanax charges and determine an effective defense strategy, book a consultation with Haber Blank today.

Sources: 

addictioncenter.com/benzodiazepines/xanax/

justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/local-leader-alprazolam-conspiracy-sentenced-eight-years-federal-prison