The comfort and discretion of online shopping constantly add to the growth of people buying and selling drugs online. The dark web is an underground market that becomes available for everyone who has money and intention to get drugs. It can be accessed with unique IP masking browsers, and yes, actual money is less popular there. It’s a cryptocurrency that is used.
According to a survey that asked respondents to answer a few questions for buying drugs online, it takes less than half an hour for cocaine delivery. People often purchase cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, tobacco, amphetamine, LSD, mushrooms, and alcohol.
Worldly, Finland holds the highest number of citizens who buy illegal substances online (45%). In the USA, Texas has the highest percentage (18%) of users of the dark web.
But, the dark web is not the only place for such trades; people can get illegal substances even on the most popular social media. If you’ve been caught buying or selling drugs online in Texas, it’s in your best interest to contact a criminal defense attorney in Houston.
Implementing Internet Drug Laws
It is not the easiest job to crack down online drug selling. Many questions should be answered, such as whose jurisdiction is it if the shipment crosses state borders? Or, is it worth wasting time and finances on first-time offenders who bought illegal substances on social media?
The problem arises when teenagers get to buy drugs online.
Selling Drugs Online is the Next Step to Drug Trafficking
Almost every online drug delivery is delivered via the U.S Postal Service. Often the seller gives a fake return address. This is why it is challenging to catch the dealer. But if the drug dealer is caught, they will get a drug trafficking charge with severe consequences. Texas law equally treats selling drugs online and in person. Trafficking penalties depend on the type of drug and amount.
When it comes to marijuana, which is decriminalized in some states, in Texas, it is illegal to ship it or mail it. Here are the penalties for marijuana drug trafficking in Texas:
- 4 oz to 5 lbs.: 2 years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines
- Between 5 and 50 lbs.: 2 to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines
- Between 50 and 2,000 lbs.: 2 to 20 years in jail and $10,000 in fines
- More than 2,000+ lbs.: 5 to 99 years or life in prison, and penalties up to $50,000
Selling Drugs Online Has a Strong Base to Become a Federal Crime
The USPS is a federal entity, and using the service for illegal deliveries can become a federal case.
The law enforcement often gets alarmed by Postal Service inspectors when they locate a suspicious package.
Texas has some of the most rigid penalties for drug possession.
Under Texas law, there are four classes of drugs. Marijuana is listed independently.
- Narcotics – opium, morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and carfentanil
- Depressants – opiates, opioids, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, chloral hydrate, inhalants, and alcohol.
- Stimulants – cocaine, amphetamines, some inhalants
- Hallucinogens: LSD, PCP, marijuana, mushrooms, ketamine, and peyote
Possessing drugs in Texas is “Class A” or “Class B” misdemeanor. It brings penalties such as up to one year in prison and fines up to $4,000 (it depends on the type of drug). If you get caught having massive amounts of illegal substances, the charge will be categorized as a felony for “drug possession with intent to distribute.” The penalty varies from third-degree to a first-degree felony. The highest penalty given in Texas for drug possession is life or ninety-nine years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
People who get caught possessing drugs (or selling it) in the state of Texas are advised to hire a Texas based criminal defense law firm.
The fact that the charge is severe and complex suggests that the individual alone will not be able to defend themselves. Your attorney will prepare your defense based on things such as a lack of knowledge that you possessed the controlled substance. Or your attorney may state that the drug was not meant for human consummation, or that the drug was medical marijuana or a prescribed medication from a licensed doctor.
Being involved in such situation will affect your entire life; your career will be endangered, or if you are a young person, you might risk your eligibility for colleges. You will face serious charges and penalties that could bring you prolonged prison time and high fines.
If you are involved in such a case, our criminal defense attorneys are expecting your call. Let us fight for your best outcome.