Drug Trafficking Attorney in Brooklyn

Former Brooklyn Prosecutors. 30+ Years of Combined Trial Experience.

A drug trafficking charge in Brooklyn is among the most serious criminal matters a person can face. These cases are pursued aggressively by the NYPD, DEA, and FBI, and a single arrest can trigger either state charges in New York Supreme Court or federal charges in the Eastern District of New York, where mandatory minimum sentences apply. At Mottola Uris Law, PLLC, we handle drug trafficking defense at both levels. Lawrence Mottola and Adam Uris are both former Brooklyn prosecutors with more than 30 years of combined criminal trial experience. We understand how these cases are built from the inside.

Early involvement matters. The further a case progresses before you have an attorney, the fewer options exist for challenging evidence, influencing bail, and shaping how the prosecution proceeds. We offer free initial consultations and are available around the clock.

If you or someone you know is facing a trafficking charge, call Mottola Uris Law, PLLC now at (718) 550-3318. We’re available 24/7 and your first consultation is free.

How Brooklyn Drug Trafficking Charges Work

Drug trafficking in New York is largely a quantity-driven offense. Prosecutors don’t need to prove intent to distribute when the amount seized exceeds statutory thresholds. The weight and type of controlled substance found determine the charge, the felony classification, and the minimum sentence a judge can impose.

State Charges Under New York Penal Law

At the most serious end of state law, New York Penal Law Section 220.77 defines operating as a major trafficker. A person can be charged under this statute by directing a drug organization that generates at least $75,000 in proceeds within 12 months, personally selling narcotic drugs totaling $75,000 or more within six months, or possessing narcotic drugs with an aggregate value of $75,000 or more with intent to sell. A conviction is an A-I felony, even for a first-time offender, carrying a minimum of 15 to 25 years and a maximum of life imprisonment.

Below that threshold, trafficking offenses under New York Penal Law Article 220 are charged as Class B or Class C felonies, with sentences that vary significantly depending on drug type, quantity, and prior criminal history.

Federal Charges & Mandatory Minimums

Federal charges under 21 U.S.C. Section 841 carry their own mandatory minimums. Trafficking Schedule I or II substances, such as heroin, cocaine, or fentanyl, can trigger a mandatory five or 10 years depending on quantity, with exposure up to life.

Consequences Beyond Incarceration

A trafficking conviction reaches far beyond prison time. It can result in:

• Asset forfeiture of vehicles, cash, and real property
• Loss of professional licenses and eligibility for certain employment
• Immigration consequences for non-citizens, including deportation
• A permanent felony record affecting housing, education, and future employment

Aggravating factors, including prior felony convictions, a firearm present during the offense, proximity to a school zone, or charges involving a minor, can significantly increase sentencing exposure.

Our Approach to Drug Trafficking Defense in Brooklyn

No two trafficking cases are identical. Our defense begins with a thorough review of the arrest, the investigation timeline, and every piece of evidence the government intends to use. Trafficking investigations frequently begin weeks or months before an arrest through surveillance, wiretaps, or confidential informants, and understanding that full picture early is critical to building an effective defense.

We examine the conduct of law enforcement at every stage. If agents conducted an unlawful search or seizure, we file motions to suppress evidence under the Fourth Amendment. Evidence obtained in violation of constitutional protections can be excluded. That can fundamentally change what the prosecution has left to work with. We review body camera footage and police reports in detail and work with forensic professionals when the identity or weight of a substance is at issue.

Defense strategies we evaluate on a case-by-case basis include:

• Challenging the quantity or classification of substances to affect the degree of charge
• Contesting the reliability of confidential informants or how they were handled
• Establishing lack of knowledge or challenging constructive possession
• Raising entrapment where law enforcement induced the offense
• In federal cases, contesting sentencing enhancement requests such as role-in-the-offense increases or fentanyl-related overdose enhancements
• Negotiating plea agreements that reduce mandatory minimum exposure where appropriate

For clients whose offense severity and criminal history make them eligible, we also explore Brooklyn Treatment Court and other diversion alternatives. These programs aren’t available to everyone facing a trafficking charge, but when they apply, they may serve the client far better than a trial or standard plea.

Former Brooklyn Prosecutors Defending Trafficking Cases

Lawrence Mottola and Adam Uris built their careers prosecuting criminal cases in Brooklyn before founding Mottola Uris Law, PLLC. That background is directly relevant to drug trafficking defense. We know how the prosecution structures these cases, which evidence they prioritize, where investigations tend to have weaknesses, and how federal agents in the Eastern District of New York build their files. We bring that knowledge to every client we represent.

The firm was named 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction three years in a row by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys. Clients work directly with an attorney from the first call through resolution, with no handoffs to paralegals or junior staff. We handle state and federal cases across Brooklyn, all five boroughs, and Long Island, and flexible payment plans are available.

Get a Free Consultation on Your Trafficking Charge

A trafficking arrest requires immediate legal attention. The decisions made in the first days after an arrest can affect every stage that follows, from bail to the strength of the prosecution’s case. We’re available around the clock to take your call, review what happened, and can explain your options without pressure or obligation.

Call our Brooklyn drug trafficking lawyers at (718) 550-3318 or contact us through the form on this page to schedule your free consultation.