Drug Possession & Drug Trafficking

There are a range of drug offences a person can be charged with in Victoria. The most common offences are found in the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic) and include:

• Possession of a drug of dependence.
• Traffick a drug of dependence (simpliciter, commercial quantity or large commercial quantity).
• Cultivate a Drug of Dependence.

A person may also be charged with importing and / or exporting border controlled drugs under Commonwealth legislation.

The quantity of drug of dependence allegedly possessed or trafficked by an accused, as well as their alleged role, and the frequency and period of the alleged offending, will ultimately dictate the charge that will be laid against them. The penalty for a drug offence will vary depending on the charge.

Drug cases can be difficult and require a great deal of attention to detail by your criminal lawyer when analysing the evidence.

For example, an accused may be alleged to have trafficked a commercial quantity of cocaine over a period of time. The Police may rely on telephone intercepts and other evidence in an attempt to prove the charge. However, the Police may make errors in the alleged quantity and the original charge may be dropped to a lesser charge. It is therefore extremely important that your criminal lawyer carefully reads all the evidence to see whether the Prosecution can prove the quantity of drugs that were alleged to have been trafficked.

Do not be interviewed by the Police in relation to a drug matter before receiving expert criminal law advice. Call MCD Lawyers immediately on 03 7009 4777 to protect your rights.