According to North Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney Patrick Apple, drug tracking and PWISD, or possession with intent to sell and deliver, sound like very similar crimes. However, trafficking is much more serious.  Trafficking requires the manufacture, possession, selling, distribution, or transport of large quantities of controlled substances. The key difference between the charges is merely the amount of the drugs. Trafficking also has its own set of sentencing guidelines, The Drug Trafficking Sentencing Chart. This is broken down by classification of drugs and amount, and each has very different penalties, however, they all carry significant prison time, heavy fines, and collateral consequences that can follow someone for life. Trafficking charges even (typically) have their own prosecutor within the DAs Office who works with State, local and federal agencies to prosecute trafficking charges. Generally, the minimum for trafficking is 25 months while the maximum can be more than 23 years in prison. Law Enforcement tends to target Interstates 40 and 85 to catch traffickers which PWISD can be found county and Statewide. Therefore, if you’ve been charged with either crime, to avoid life-long consequences, contact an experienced advocate who will challenge the State on elements of intent, knowledge, possession, and even identity of the controlled substance today. Dummit Fradin has that experience. Call us now.