Columbia Drug Manufacturing Defense Attorney

Defending Against Drug Charges in Lexington, Kershaw, Richland, and Newberry Counties

Drug manufacturing is a serious offense that results in lengthy prison sentences, fines, and a criminal record. Those who are caught cultivating and manufacturing drugs are typically also involved in producing methamphetamine. South Carolina law is particularly harsh on drug crimes, so those facing manufacturing charges should retain experienced legal representation as soon as possible.

Attorney Marion M. Moses represents individuals accused of manufacturing drugs in Lexington, Kershaw, Richland, and Newberry Counties. She understands the consequences you face and how these charges could impact the rest of your life. When you hire The Law Offices of Marion M. Moses, LLC, you will be represented by a skilled and dedicated former prosecutor who carries significant trial experience. Her knowledge of both sides of the criminal justice system and dedication to her clients mean she is well-prepared to achieve the best outcome possible in your case.

If you have been accused of drug manufacturing, contact The Law Offices of Marion M. Moses, LLC for an initial consultation today. Call our Columbia drug manufacturing attorney at (803) 770-4483 or contact us online.

How Is Drug Manufacturing Defined?

Drug manufacturing does not require the act of physically producing drugs. A person can be charged with manufacturing if they are involved in any way in the production of drugs. Therefore, if you are the person running the lab, you will bear the brunt of the charges.

Because of the many toxic chemicals involved in making drugs, the penalties for manufacturing can be extreme. In cases where a person is killed as a result of the manufacturing process, the penalties can be even more harsh

A person can be charged with drug manufacturing if they are:

• Running the manufacturing process
• Acting as a “cook”
• Making a small amount of the drug
• Participating in a “meth lab dump” (You can also be charged with manufacturing if you are involved in the removal of toxic chemicals from a dump site)

Penalties for Drug Manufacturing in South Carolina

South Carolina law imposes harsh penalties for anyone convicted of manufacturing controlled substances. In fact, South Carolina Code of Laws Section 44-53-385(A)(2) states that if the drug involved in the charge is methamphetamine, then the minimum prison sentence is seven years. Manufacturing other drugs carry lesser, but still serious consequences.

In addition to jail time, prison sentences for those accused of manufacturing drugs can range from 25 to 30 years or even life behind bars. You will also likely be required to pay up to $200,000 in fines depending on your specific criminal history and your involvement in the manufacturing process.

What Are Drug Manufacturing Enhancements?

In cases where a person is injured or killed in the manufacturing process, a manufacturing charge can turn into a manufacturing enhancement charge. These enhancement charges are similar to the standard manufacturing charges, but with even higher penalties. For example, if the individual’s participation in manufacturing plays no role in the death, they may face a manufacturing enhancement charge, which carries a 20-year sentence. They could also face additional charges if any children were present during the process.

In cases of significant bodily injury, the manufacturing enhancement charge becomes a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. All penalties for manufacturing enhancements can increase in severity to life sentences if a person has any previous manufacturing enhancement convictions on their record.

Defending You Against Drug Manufacturing Charges

The prosecution has the burden of proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you are guilty of manufacturing drugs. This doesn’t hold for “how many years you’ve got.” In drug manufacturing cases, the manufacturing activity involves methamphetamine manufacturing.

That is why an effective defense against these charges often involves disputing one or more of the required elements of the manufacturing accusation.

Some defenses to drug manufacturing charges include:

• Saying you only knowingly possessed chemicals that may be used in manufacturing as opposed to using them in the manufacturing process or that you believed the chemicals would not be used to make drugs
• If children were present during an alleged manufacturing offense, that the children were not “exposed to or in close proximity of the manufacturing
• Saying you were forced, threatened, or coerced into manufacturing
• Saying you were merely present at the manufacturing, but took no part in the offense
• Saying that a substance seized by the police was not a controlled substance
• If a fire or explosion occurred while you were making drugs, that the death or injury caused by the fire or explosion was not the “natural and probable consequence” of the manufacturing. 

Other Drugs and Substances Involved in Drug Manufacturing

Xanax

As of 2020, there were eight main laboratories distributing fraudulent Xanax in Lexington, Richland, and Kershaw Counties. Fake Xanax, sometimes called “fake orange bars,” contains fentanyl and often results in overdose. In just one 24-hour period, 30 people overdosed and died after taking counterfeit Xanax. As a result, law enforcement officials are cracking down on anyone involved in the production, distribution, and sale of fraudulent Xanax substances and this includes anyone believed to be operating a laboratory

Bath Salts

Bath salts are a synthetic drug that typically come as a white, tan, or brownish powder. Law enforcement often discovers bath salts in white envelopes and tiny plastic bags. Individuals who use bath salts often suffer from hallucinations, paranoia, and psychosis. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has labeled certain chemicals as schedule I substances, but manufacturers and distributors of the drugs are regularly changing the chemical composition of their substances in an attempt to avoid the law. This means that any substance is often a targeted by police and could be a compound for manufacturing.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a powerful schedule II controlled substance. Drug manufacturers will typically convert powdered cocaine into crack cocaine; this manufacturing process is still fairly simple and can be easily performed within a private residence.

Heroin

Heroin is a very addictive and dangerous schedule I controlled substance. It is made from the Asian opium poppy plant and commonly produced and distributed in the U.S.

Defend Yourself – Call Our Drug Manufacturing Defense Attorney Today!

Drug manufacturing is a very serious offense and if you or a loved one has been arrested on this charge, you need an experienced drug defense attorney who will fight for you. For over a decade, South Carolina defense attorney Marion M. Moses has protected the rights of the accused, both within the prosecutor's office as a former prosecutor and as a private practice attorney.

If you’re facing drug manufacturing charges, contact us at (803) 770-4483 to set up an initial consultation with our drug manufacturing defense attorney in Columbia, SC.