For Wisconsin residents, drug charges can be very serious. Law enforcement officials in the state may investigate a person for a variety of offenses related to controlled substances, and a person who is convicted on these charges may be sentenced to serve time in prison, be required to pay large fines, or face other requirements, such as mandatory drug testing during a period of probation. While many of these cases involve accusations of drug possession, those who are accused of manufacturing controlled substances will likely face more serious charges. By understanding the offenses that may fall under the category of drug manufacturing and the potential penalties that may apply following a conviction, people facing these charges can determine their best options for defense.
Understanding Charges Related to Manufacturing Controlled Substances
Drug manufacturing generally involves the production or creation of illegal drugs. This can include making, growing, synthesizing, or processing controlled substances. For example, a person could be charged with drug manufacturing if they allegedly operated a meth lab in order to synthesize methamphetamines, and these charges may apply regardless of whether drugs were created for personal use or with the intent to sell or distribute them to others.
In addition to activities involving the production of drugs, manufacturing charges may also apply in cases where a person is accused of packaging or repackaging controlled substances. For example, if a person received a large quantity of a drug and then divided the substance into smaller portions and packaged or labeled it in individual containers, this could be considered drug manufacturing. In some cases, a drug possession offense may be elevated to drug manufacturing based on items found in a person's possession that could be used to package controlled substances, such as small baggies or scales that could be used to weigh quantities of drugs.
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