Practice Areas

Federal Drug Charges

Federal drug charges are prosecuted with resources and mandatory minimum sentences that make them fundamentally different from a state drug case. A DEA investigation, a federal indictment, or a conspiracy charge under 21 U.S.C. § 841 or § 846 can mean a decade or more in federal prison—often before the government has even shown you all of its evidence. Samson Law defends individuals across California against federal drug charges at every stage, from the first knock at the door through sentencing.

Federal Drug Charges We Handle

Drug trafficking and distribution (21 U.S.C. § 841)
Drug conspiracy charges (21 U.S.C. § 846)
Importation and international trafficking
Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE) charges
Manufacturing and cultivation offenses
Possession with intent to distribute
Charges involving controlled substance analogues and prescription drug diversion

Why Federal Drug Cases Demand a Different Strategy

Federal drug prosecutions are built on tools state prosecutors rarely use at the same scale: wiretaps, confidential informants, controlled buys, and multi-agency task force investigations that can run for months before an arrest is ever made. Conspiracy charges in particular allow the government to hold every participant responsible for the full scope of the alleged operation, meaning the drug quantity attributed to a single defendant can be far larger than what was ever found in their possession.

Sentencing in federal drug cases is also driven heavily by mandatory minimums tied to drug type and quantity and by the Sentencing Guidelines’ emphasis on role in the offense, prior record, and cooperation. A defense built around these mechanics, not just the underlying facts, is what actually moves the outcome.

Our Approach to Federal Drug Defense

Challenging the investigation – scrutinizing wiretap applications, confidential informant reliability, and the legality of searches and stops
Attacking drug quantity and conspiracy scope – contesting the amount and role attributed to your client, which directly affects mandatory minimums and guideline ranges
Exploring safety valve and cooperation options – where appropriate, pursuing relief from mandatory minimums under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(f)
Pursuing pretrial resolution – negotiating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office before indictment when possible, and throughout the pretrial process
Preparing for trial – building a defense capable of standing before a federal jury when a fair resolution isn’t offered

If Federal Agents Have Contacted You

If DEA agents, federal task force officers, or an Assistant U.S. Attorney have reached out, or if you’ve learned you’re a target of a grand jury investigation, the choices you make now shape everything that follows. Anything said to investigators without counsel present can become the centerpiece of the government’s case.

Call (818) 422-0888 for an immediate, confidential consultation. Samson Law represents clients throughout Los Angeles and California in English, Spanish, Armenian, and Russian.

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