Less Than 1% of Federal Drug Crime Defendants Go to Trial. If You Have Been Contacted by DEA Agents in Texas, Avoiding Trial Needs to Be Your Top Priority.
When facing an investigation from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), it only takes a matter of weeks (or less) to quickly realize how overwhelming federal law enforcement can be in their efforts to secure a conviction. The DEA targets healthcare providers suspected of violating the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), drug manufacturers suspected of making and selling illegal drugs, individuals suspected of forming unlawful conspiracies, and a host of other alleged bad actors.
With Spodek Law Group, You Will Stand a Fighting Chance Even if You Are Playing Defense
As a Texas DEA defense lawyer if you know that you are under DEA investigation, the DEA is likely already well on its way toward building a federal drug crime case against you. While this is bad news for several reasons, it is also good news in the sense that it means you have time and an opportunity to defend yourself.
If you are truly under federal investigation, you don't want to make the mistake of waiting. The longer you wait, the less time your Texas DEA defense lawyers have to target factors. These factors could lead to DEA investigators pursuing different charges. You should use this extra time to gather evidence showing that you are not guilty of drug crimes. Rather than waiting for the DEA to finish its investigation and then present its findings, you can proactively defend yourself.
We Represent Drug Crime Defendants Throughout Texas
At Spodek Law Group, we represent healthcare providers, manufacturers, distributers, dispensers, and other drug crime defendants throughout Texas. Federal authorities with the DEA's Houston Division frequently target individuals entities in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and El Paso; and, along with DEA headquarters in Arlington, VA, the DEA has field offices in a number of other Texas cities as well:
- Amarillo
- Beaumont
- Brownsville
- Corpus Christi
- Eagle Pass
- Galveston
- Laredo
- Longview
- Lubbock
- McAllen
- Pleasanton
- San Antonio
- Texarkana
- Tyler
- Waco
- Wichita Falls
Our Texas DEA criminal defense attorneys handle all types of internal DEA investigations and federal drug crime cases involving the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) as well, including those related to:
In recent years, the DEA has joined in the DOJ's efforts targeting healthcare providers suspected of healthcare fraud, particularly the providers who prescribe opioid pain medications to their patients. Often, the DEA targets healthcare providers with other federal agencies. These include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), and Office of Inspector General (OIG).
Drug Manufacturing, Distribution, and Dispensation
The DEA also targets companies, healthcare providers, and other individuals suspected of illegal manufacturing, distribution, and dispensation of prescription drugs and illegal drugs. 21 U.S.C. Section 841 provides severe criminal penalties for those who would conspire to "manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a controlled substance"; and, under 21 U.S.C. Section 846, both the commission of a drug crime and the conspiracy to commit one are federal offenses.
Drug Crime Conspiracy
Along with manufacturing, distributing, and dispensing controlled substances, the DEA and DOJ also routinely pursue charges for other drug crime-related conspiracies. Under 21 U.S.C. Section 846, the conspiracy does not actually need to result in the commission of a federal drug crime. Merely agreeing to violate the Controlled Substance Act can be grounds for a federal drug crime conspiracy prosecution.
Drug Possession
While the DEA doesn't target individual drug users as a result of internal investigations, federal drug possession charges can still arise in two different ways. First, if an internal investigation also uncovers evidence warranting an investigation of individual users, then the DEA may choose to pursue possession charges before the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Second, if a DEA investigation uncovers evidence of illegal drug possession, then this evidence could be used to support state-level charges.
Ounces, the CSA, and the DOJ
At Spodek Law Group, our federal criminal defense practice focuses on representing clients targeted in high-profile federal criminal cases involving substantial potential exposure. These often involve multiple kilogram (or multi-thousand dosage) cases handled in conjunction with the DOJ Criminal Division and in parallel with civil enforcement litigation. Using our lawyers' combined experience as former federal prosecutors and defense counsel, we are able to provide comprehensive defense strategies.
Q&A with Texas DEA Defense Attorney
Q: Which state and local law enforcement authorities investigate federal drug crimes in Texas?
Within the DEA, the Houston Division is responsible for investigating federal drug crimes in Texas. This division also investigates federal crimes in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and parts of Tennessee. In addition, DEA Headquarters has field offices throughout Texas, including:
- Houston
- Austin
- Corpus Christi
- Dallas
- Beaumont
- Fort Worth
- Laredo
- Wichita Falls
- Amarillo
- Lubbock
- El Paso
Q: What are some examples of "prescription drug fraud"?
Federal authorities investigating suspicion of prescription drug fraud target physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other individuals who are involved with prescribing, administering, distributing, or dispensing prescription medications in varying capacities. Examples of the types of allegations that can lead to a DEA investigation in Texas include:
- Diverting prescription drugs for unlawful use
- Drug-seeking patients and patient consumers
- Fabricating medical needs for prescription medications
- Procuring prescription medications for resale (rather than patient use)
- Prescription without medical necessity
Q: What is the CSA?
The CSA is the federal law that, along with various other criminal statutes, establishes the criminal offense in the United States. As the DEA explains, "Passed by Congress in 1970, the CSA created a single statute to govern the manufacture, importation, distribution, possession, and use of specific substances in the United States."
Q: If I have been contacted by the DEA, does this mean that I am going to be charged with a federal drug crime?
Not necessarily. Many federal criminal investigations serve only as investigations, and those who are targeted are able to avoid arrest. As Texas DEA defense lawyers, one of our primary goals in representing clients during federal law enforcement investigations is to ensure that our clients do not get charged with federal crimes. We do this by intervening in our clients' investigations, interacting with the agents assigned to their cases on their behalf, and gathering and preserving evidence.
Q: How can Texas DEA defense attorneys help me?
If you are facing the possibility of being targeted in a DEA investigation, being charged with a federal drug crime, or are already facing charges, you have no time to waste. You need to speak with an experienced Texas DEA defense lawyer right away. Federal law enforcement proceedings move incredibly quickly and you cannot afford to leave your chances up to faith. As your defense counsel, we will rely on our extensive experience on both sides of federal criminal proceedings to build the strongest possible defense.
