Cocaine Charges in South Carolina – Cocaine Trafficking 
Charged with an offense related to cocaine in South Carolina? Check out this blog on cocaine charges in South Carolina to better understand SC criminal law. This blog places special emphasis on cocaine trafficking in South Carolina.
Cocaine charges in South Carolina encompass several different charges, with different levels of consequences and punishments. The least severe cocaine charge is simple possession of a small amount of cocaine. The most severe is cocaine trafficking. In South Carolina, Cocaine trafficking carries serious mandatory prison sentences and mandatory fines.
Criminal charges that can be considered trafficking in South Carolina
The criminal charge of trafficking is more a measure of the amount of cocaine involved rather than what is done with the cocaine:
According to South Carolina statute Any person who knowingly sells, manufactures, cultivates, delivers, purchases, or brings into this State, or who provides financial assistance or otherwise aids, abets, attempts, or conspires to sell, manufacture, cultivate, deliver, purchase, or bring into this State, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession or who knowingly attempts to become in actual or constructive possession of cocaine, can be lead to a charge in cocaine trafficking.
Cocaine trafficking in South Carolina
Ten grams or more of cocaine or any mixtures containing cocaine, will qualify as a trafficking in cocaine which upon conviction must follow the South Carolina cocaine trafficking
Punishment for trafficking in Cocaine – Sentencing and fines for Trafficking in cocaine in South Carolina are based on the amount of cocaine involved and the number of times the defendant has been convicted of that charge.
Sentencing for Cocaine Trafficking
10 grams to 28 grams of cocaine
- First offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than three years nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;
- Second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
- Third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
28 grams to 100 grams of cocaine
- First offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
- Second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
- Third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years and not more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
100 grams to 200 grams
- a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a $50,000 fine;
200 grams to 400 grams
- a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, a $100,000 fine.
Over 400 grams
- a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars;
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