Boston Drug Trafficking Attorney

Former Prosecutors Defending Drug Trafficking Charges Across Massachusetts

Drug trafficking charges under G.L. c. 94C § 32E carry mandatory minimum state prison sentences and are among the most aggressively prosecuted offenses in Massachusetts. Attorneys James G. DeGiacomo and Sergey Mikhlin are former prosecutors who understand how the Commonwealth structures these cases from the inside. That background shapes how they identify weaknesses in the state’s evidence, build motions, and approach negotiations in Boston courts. The firm handles drug trafficking defense across multiple Massachusetts counties and is available 24 hours a day, including immediately after an arrest.

Reaching an attorney early can affect how a case proceeds from arraignment onward. Degiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C. offers free initial consultations where the attorneys review the evidence, explain realistic outcomes, and outline next steps. Facing these charges is serious. That conversation costs nothing and can shape what follows.

Call Degiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C. today at (617) 941-3666 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Boston drug trafficking attorney.

Drug Trafficking Defense Services

Drug trafficking charges can arise from a wide range of conduct, each carrying distinct exposure under Massachusetts and federal law. The firm handles the full range of these drug crimes, including:

• Possession with intent to distribute
• Drug manufacturing
• Drug conspiracy
• Interstate drug trafficking
• Federal drug offenses

Whatever the specific charge, Degiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C. approaches each case with a defense built around its particular facts, not a generic template.

How Massachusetts Drug Trafficking Law Works

Drug trafficking in Massachusetts is governed by G.L. c. 94C § 32E. Unlike simple possession or even distribution, trafficking charges turn almost entirely on the weight of the controlled substance involved. Once the weight of the seized drugs crosses a threshold defined by statute, the charge automatically becomes trafficking regardless of whether there is direct evidence of a sale.

The substances most commonly associated with these charges in the Boston area include:

• Class A Substances: Primarily heroin and fentanyl. Due to the ongoing opioid crisis, these carry some of the harshest penalties in the Commonwealth.
• Class B Substances: Cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine.
• Class D Substances: Marijuana. While Massachusetts has legalized recreational use, trafficking 50 pounds or more remains a serious felony.

A person can be charged with trafficking even without any evidence of a sale. The law allows prosecutors to infer “intent to distribute” based solely on the volume found in possession. That legal inference is one of the first things a defense attorney can challenge before the case ever reaches trial.

Penalties for Drug Trafficking Convictions in Massachusetts

The penalties for drug trafficking convictions are severe and largely determined by the type and weight of the controlled substance involved. Under G.L. c. 94C § 32E, every trafficking count carries a mandatory minimum state prison sentence. A judge can’t impose probation or a shorter term regardless of the defendant’s personal background or circumstances.

• Cocaine Trafficking: Penalties range from a 2-year mandatory minimum (for 18–36 grams) up to a 12-year mandatory minimum for 200 grams or more.
• Heroin Trafficking: Charges begin with a 3.5-year mandatory minimum for 18–36 grams and escalate with quantity.
• Fentanyl Trafficking: Under G.L. c. 94C § 32E(c½), possession of 10 grams or more carries a mandatory minimum of 3.5 years.
• Marijuana Trafficking: Trafficking 50 to 100 pounds carries a mandatory 1-year sentence, with penalties increasing as weight grows.

The consequences extend well beyond a prison term. A trafficking conviction is a felony that can limit employment eligibility, affect professional licenses, impact immigration status for noncitizens, and restrict access to housing and educational opportunities once it appears on a background check.

When advising clients, Degiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C. addresses both the direct penalties and these collateral consequences so each person understands what is truly at stake before making decisions about trial, negotiation, or alternative resolutions.

Defenses Against Drug Trafficking Charges in Boston

The attorneys at Degiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C. examine every stage of the investigation and prosecution, looking for the points where the state’s case can be challenged.

Common Defense Strategies

• Illegal Search and Seizure: If law enforcement violated Fourth Amendment rights through an unlawful search or seizure, including an unjustified motor vehicle stop on a Boston roadway or a deficient search warrant, the evidence collected may be inadmissible in court.
• Lack of Intent: Showing that the defendant didn’t have the intent to distribute or traffic can be a valid defense strategy.
• Chain of Custody Issues: Gaps or inconsistencies in the chain of custody of seized drugs can raise serious doubts about the integrity of the evidence.
• Entrapment: If law enforcement induced the offense, entrapment may be a viable defense.

Challenging Laboratory Evidence

The attorneys examine how laboratory testing was conducted and documented. Errors in weighing, contamination during testing, and incomplete documentation can all undermine the reliability of the government’s evidence. By reviewing lab reports, requesting underlying data, and when appropriate consulting independent professionals, the firm builds defenses focused on the accuracy and fairness of the proof being used. This approach can support motions to suppress or exclude evidence and may significantly change how a case is resolved.

How Boston Drug Trafficking Cases Move Through the Courts

Most cases begin with arraignment in a District Court or the Boston Municipal Court, where the charges are formally read and issues such as bail and conditions of release are addressed. Pretrial conferences and motion hearings follow, during which the defense and prosecution exchange evidence and argue about whether certain evidence should be suppressed or limited. Motions may challenge the legality of a motor vehicle stop, the sufficiency of a search warrant, or the handling of statements the defendant is alleged to have made.

If the case doesn’t resolve during the pretrial stage, it may move toward trial in the District Court or, in more serious matters, be indicted and transferred to Suffolk County Superior Court. At trial, prosecutors must prove every element of the trafficking charge beyond a reasonable doubt, including the identity of the substance, its weight, and the defendant’s connection to it. Cases can also be prosecuted in federal court before the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts when agencies such as the DEA are involved or the conduct crosses state lines. Federal mandatory minimums are generally more stringent than state minimums, making venue an important strategic consideration.

DeGiacomo and Mikhlin advise clients on what to do and what to avoid before arraignment, help prepare for conditions of release, and begin gathering documents or information that may support the defense. They also walk clients through the typical timeline, from arraignment and pretrial conferences through motion hearings and any potential trial, so clients have a clear picture of what lies ahead.

Why Choose Degiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C. for Drug Trafficking Defense in Boston

Attorneys DeGiacomo and Mikhlin are former prosecutors. That background means they know exactly how the Commonwealth structures trafficking charges, which investigative steps the state relies on, and where weaknesses in evidence are most likely to appear. Rather than responding to the prosecution’s moves after the fact, they anticipate them and challenge them early.

The firm maintains offices across multiple Massachusetts counties and regularly appears in Boston-area courts. That presence has given the attorneys direct familiarity with how different prosecuting agencies prioritize trafficking cases, how individual judges handle issues such as bail and suppression motions, and which diversion or treatment-based options may be available in particular courthouses. These practical details shape a defense strategy in ways that courtroom ability alone cannot.

Clients working with Degiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C. can expect:

• Former Prosecutor Perspective: Both attorneys understand how the Commonwealth builds its cases, which directly informs how they challenge evidence, weight calculations, and investigative procedure in criminal defense matters.
• Documented Results: The firm has a track record of dismissals, not guilty verdicts, and no probable cause findings across Massachusetts criminal defense cases.
• Direct Access: The attorneys respond quickly, sometimes within minutes, and are reachable directly rather than through layers of scheduling.
• Clear Communication: Clients receive plain-language explanations of court procedures, legal risks, and defense strategy at every stage.

Contact Degiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C. online or call (617) 941-3666 today to speak with a Boston drug trafficking attorney.