San Francisco Criminal Defense Lawyer: Drug Manufacturing and Cultivations Charges
Experienced Representation for Federal Drug Crimes
The cultivation of marijuana and manufacturing of drugs, such as methamphetamines, can be prosecuted as federal crimes. If you are convicted, you may be subjected to lengthy prison sentences and high fines. Additionally, the federal government may seize some of your assets and property through forfeiture if it finds plants, precursor chemicals, or other materials used to cultivate marijuana or manufacture drugs on the property. The government may also seize assets if it asserts that the property was purchased with the proceeds of illegal drug sales or used to aid in the alleged illegal activity.
At the Law Office of John M. Runfola, we have defended clients against federal drug charges for more than 30 years. Given our extensive experience investigating and litigating these cases, and our knowledge of the federal laws regarding the cultivation of marijuana and manufacturing of drugs, we can aggressively defend you in a court of law. Our firm is determined to protect our clients' rights against federal prosecutors.
Call us at 415-391-4243 to schedule a consultation with San Francisco drug cultivation defense attorney John M. Runfola.
Suspicion and Investigation of Drug Manufacturing and Cultivation Offenses
When local police or federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI or DEA, suspect that you are manufacturing illegal drugs or cultivating marijuana, they may look for suspicious activity at your home or other property. To do this, they:
- Review your electric bills: Law enforcement looks for higher than normal power usage since the indoor cultivation of marijuana invariably involves the use of special lights that require a great deal of electricity.
- Monitor your mail: Law enforcement looks to see if you have received or are receiving unusual amounts of precursor chemicals that are used to manufacture methamphetamines, such as pseudoephedrine, sodium hydroxide or Freon.
- Watch your property: They look for suspicious people frequently coming and going or permanently covered and closed windows.
Additionally, law enforcement agents and prosecutors often make faulty assumptions. These assumptions can lead them to wrong conclusions about cases, leading to unfounded charges against people. They may rely solely on circumstantial evidence in reaching these conclusions. Further, they commonly rely on informants who are facing drug charges of their own and have cut a deal with the prosecution to reduce their own penalties. Frequently, people who are charged with the cultivation of marijuana or manufacturing of drugs are either minor players who should have been charged solely with a less serious offense, such as simple possession. They may even be innocent altogether.
At the Law Office of John M. Runfola, we work closely with private investigators, forensic experts, botanists and others in examining the circumstances leading up to your arrest. We review all procedures used by law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to obtain evidence against you. These agencies may use sophisticated surveillance techniques in conjunction with wiretaps and search warrants. We will make sure that government's use of these techniques did not violate your Fourth Amendment right to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures. If we believe that this right has been violated, we will fight to have any illegally seized evidence suppressed and the charges dismissed.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Law Firm
Are you under investigation or have you been charged with the cultivation of marijuana or drug manufacturing? Contact lawyer John M. Runfola to get the defense you deserve.
We offer a free initial consultation and are available to our clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience. Call us at 415-391-4243. We serve clients in Oakland, San Francisco, and the San Jose area.