San Antonio Federal Drug Conspiracy & Trafficking Defense Lawyer
When agents ask about drug activity, what happens next can feel uncertain. If the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation or Homeland Security Investigations targets you, you may face charges in federal court. That court follows its own rules and strict deadlines, and some offenses carry mandatory minimums of five or 10 years in prison.
I defend people accused of drug conspiracy and trafficking in the Western District of Texas, which covers San Antonio. As a former Bexar County prosecutor, I know how the other side builds a case. I use that insight to examine the evidence against you.
Federal Drug Trafficking vs. Conspiracy: What You’re Up Against
Drug trafficking under 21 U.S.C. § 841 goes beyond cartel activity. It covers unlawfully making or distributing drugs such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine or heroin, along with possession with intent to distribute. A federal drug trafficking defense in Texas often turns on that intent, which juries may infer from quantity, packaging or cash.
Conspiracy under § 846 requires only an agreement to commit a drug offense and your knowing role in it, even if you never touched the drugs. Presence at a deal does not prove you joined, so calls and texts can decide the issue. A federal drug conspiracy attorney can help you fight these accusations.
How the Feds Build Their Case and How You Can Challenge It
Agents often spend months building a federal drug case before an arrest. They gather evidence through:
- Confidential informants and cooperating witnesses seeking lighter sentences
- Wiretaps and cellphone data extractions
- Search warrants and controlled buys
Drugs in a shared home or car are not automatically yours, since constructive possession requires proof that you knew about and controlled them. A federal search warrant defense also tests probable cause, because a court can suppress evidence from an illegal search. A DEA investigation defense requires strong preparation.
Contact a San Antonio Federal Defense Attorney Today
Before answering questions in a DEA investigation, consider speaking with me. Acting early may help me persuade prosecutors to narrow or drop charges before indictment. Contact San Antonio federal drug charges lawyer Kerrisa Chelkowski at 210-879-6503 or online for a free, confidential review.