There are many drugs available for people to use in Philadelphia. Some of these drugs are legal with a valid prescription, but most of them are illegal. As such, the drugs must be delivered to or manufactured in Philadelphia and distributed in the city illegally. Many illegal drugs are grown and manufactured outside the country and smuggled in, but some, like methamphetamine, can be manufactured in or around the city and then be distributed.
There are inherent dangers in the manufacturing process of meth that are not inherent in the manufacturing of other drugs. As a result, the penalties for this drug offense are rather severe. If a person is convicted of manufacturing meth, they are guilty of a felony and could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and be fined up to $100,000 or moref if they have earned more than that amount through their illegal enterprise.
The person must also serve a minimum of two years in prison prior to any probation or parole. The penalties increase if there is a person under the age of 18 present in the place where the meth is manufactured. The person could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison and be fined up to $25,000. If a child under the age of 18 is injured during the manufacturing process, then the person could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and face a $50,000 fine.
While these penalties are severe, they will only be issued if the person is convicted of the crime. There may be defenses available to the person, however. The defenses start with determining whether the police searched the premises legally. If the search or seizure was illegal, the evidence may be thrown out and a conviction becomes much less likely.
Many people use meth in Philadelphia as well as manufacture and distribute it. The penalties, if convicted, are very harsh, but everyone is innocent until proven guilty and there may be defenses available to the person charged. Experienced attorneys understand the potential defenses and may be able to protect one’s rights.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health, “The Controlled Substances, Drugs, Device and Cosmetic Act,” accessed on July 20, 2015
