Drug Manufacturing

The War on Drugs aims for the source of illegal narcotics. While there are the cartels that bring illegal substances into the country, drugs such as meth and LSD may be manufactured in the Philadelphia area. Additionally, some drugs such as cocaine may be brought into the country and then be “manufactured” by being processed before being distributed. If you face any charges for the unlawful manufacture of illegal drugs, you could face more than a decade in prison.

Philadelphia Drug Manufacturing Lawyer

An aggressive, tough Philadelphia drug manufacturing lawyer can defend your rights while fighting charges brought against you. We will seek to suppress illegally obtained evidence so that charges might be reduced or dropped. We will cross-examine the prosecution's witness and expose the holes in their case against you. If you are accused of being a drug manufacturer, you will face aggressive prosecution, and, at Alva Foster & Moscow, LLC, we will match this aggression. Call us today at (215) 665-1695 to set up a consultation.

We represent those accused of drug manufacturing throughout the Philadelphia region, including in Delaware County, Montgomery County, Chester County, and Bucks County, as well as New Jersey.

Philadelphia Drug Manufacturing Issues

Illegal Drug Manufacturing Law in Pennsylvania

Charges for illegal drug manufacturing are governed by the Pennsylvania Controlled Substances, Drugs, Device and Cosmetic Act. Since drug manufacturing is grouped together with "drug delivery" under the law, if you are accused of drug manufacturing, you will face charges for possession with the intent to deliver. This is also the same charge you will likely face if you are accused of packaging drugs after they are manufactured.

Prosecutors may use a variety of different factors as evidence of drug manufacturing. The primary evidence of drug manufacturing is generally the equipment found around the drugs. Meth labs and other places where drugs are manufactured often have certain equipment and chemicals, and a prosecutor could use any of these as evidence of drug manufacturing.

Punishment for Drug Manufacturing in Pennsylvania

The extent of punishment for unlawful drug manufacturing depends upon the “schedule” of the particular drug in each case. A “schedule” is a group of drugs as listed in the Pennsylvania Controlled Substances, Drugs, Device and Cosmetic Act. While the actual schedules are extensive and cover a broad range of substances, examples of the drugs in each schedule are as follows:

Schedule I

LSD, Heroin, Spice, Bath Salts

According to the Act, these have the highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical purpose.

Schedule II

Cocaine, Methamphetamine (Meth), Methadone

These drugs have a high potential for abuse, severe dependence and a limited medical use with severe restrictions.

Schedule III

Anabolic steroids

These substances have a lower potential for abuse, moderate dependence and an accepted medical use.

Schedule IV

Certain prescription drugs

These have an even lower potential for abuse, limited dependence and an accepted medical use.

Schedule V

Certain prescription cough medications

These have the least potential for abuse and an accepted medical purpose.

Penalties can be particularly severe if you are accused of manufacturing a “narcotic drug,” which the law defines as opium or an opiate derived from a plant or chemical synthesis. If charged with manufacturing of a narcotic drug, then you could face up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a fine of $25,000 if you are found to have manufactured 100 grams or more of the narcotic drug.

If you are charged with manufacturing meth, cocaine (or crack), or PCP, then you could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison with up to a $100,000 fine, with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a $50,000 fine if the amount of the manufactured drug is 100 grams or more. If the manufactured drug is any other drug in Schedule I, Schedule II or Schedule III, then conviction could result in up to five years in prison and a fine of $15,000.

Manufacturing a Schedule IV drug could result in up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The only drug manufacturing charges that are not felonies are those involving Schedule V drugs. Conviction for the manufacture of a Schedule V drug can result in up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

In all convictions for drug manufacturing, fines can be expanded beyond the maximum amount to completely exhaust all proceeds and assets from the manufacturing.

Defenses to Drug Manufacturing Charges in Philadelphia

Since drug manufacturing usually occurs inside of a building, most evidence for drug manufacturing charges comes from searches and seizures, often in the form of police raids. Furthermore, drug manufacturing often occurs inside a person’s home, where that person generally has a reasonable expectation of privacy recognized by the law.

This is important because police are generally required to have a warrant to search an area when a person as a reasonable expectation of privacy in that area. Your Philadelphia drug defense lawyer will carefully look at the procedures used by police in gathering evidence against you. Any misstep could lead to critical evidence being thrown out and your charges being reduced or dismissed.

Fighting Drug Manufacturing Charges in Pennsylvania

If you are facing charges of drug manufacturing, an experienced criminal defense attorney can make a big difference in the results of your case. A Philadelphia drug manufacturing lawyer from Alva Foster & Moscow, LLC will fight for you. We will seek to have your charges reduced or dismissed. Call us today at (215) 665-1695 to set up a free consultation.