Trafficking Cocaine in Massachusetts: What You Need to Know if You’re Charged With Over 100 Grams and Less Than 200 Grams
Introduction: Why These Charges Are So Serious in Massachusetts
If you or a loved one has been charged with trafficking a Class B substance—most commonly cocaine—in Massachusetts, you’re facing one of the most serious drug crimes under state law. In particular, if the Commonwealth alleges that the weight involved is over 100 grams but less than 200 grams, you are looking at significant prison time and mandatory minimum sentencing.
At Benzaken, Maguire, Sheehan & Wood, LLP, we have defended clients in Brockton, Boston, and throughout Massachusetts against the most serious drug charges, including cocaine trafficking. We understand that the stakes couldn’t be higher—your freedom, your future, and your family’s well-being are on the line.
What is “Trafficking” a Class B Substance?
In Massachusetts, cocaine is classified as a Class B controlled substance under the state’s drug laws. “Trafficking” doesn’t just mean transporting drugs—it covers possessing, manufacturing, distributing, or bringing into the Commonwealth certain quantities of a controlled substance.
Even if you never sold cocaine, you can still be charged with trafficking if the weight of the drugs in your possession crosses specific statutory thresholds. This is a key point—trafficking charges are weight-based, not necessarily based on proof of actual sales.
Massachusetts Law: Chapter 94C, Section 32A
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 94C, Section 32A, trafficking penalties for cocaine (or any Class B substance) are determined by the weight of the drugs involved.
The relevant penalty tiers for cocaine are:
18 grams to less than 36 grams
36 grams to less than 100 grams
100 grams to less than 200 grams
200 grams or more
If you are charged with over 100 grams but less than 200 grams, you fall into the third tier—which is extremely serious.
Penalty for Trafficking Cocaine in the 100–200 Gram Range
For cocaine trafficking in Massachusetts in the 100–200 gram range, the penalties are as follows:
Mandatory minimum sentence: 10 years in state prison
Maximum sentence: 20 years in state prison
No parole, probation, or work release eligibility until the mandatory minimum is served
This means the judge has no discretion to sentence you below 10 years if you’re convicted—the law requires at least a decade behind bars.
The Weight Calculation Matters
One of the most critical aspects of these cases is how the weight is determined. The Commonwealth’s burden is to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the total weight of the cocaine was within the charged range.
Common issues that arise include:
Mixture vs. Pure Drug – In Massachusetts, the entire weight of the mixture is counted, not just the pure cocaine content.
Testing Methodology – Was the entire quantity tested, or just a sample? Errors in testing can lead to inaccurate weight calculations.
Chain of Custody Problems – If the prosecution can’t prove an unbroken chain of custody from seizure to testing, the evidence could be excluded.
A skilled Brockton or Boston drug crime lawyer will examine every step of the evidence-handling process to see if the weight can be challenged.
Defenses to Cocaine Trafficking Charges in Massachusetts
Every case is unique, but common defenses to a trafficking charge in the 100–200 gram range include:
1. Illegal Search and Seizure
If police violated your Fourth Amendment rights—such as conducting a warrantless search without a valid exception—your attorney can move to suppress the evidence. Without the drugs, the Commonwealth has no case.
2. Challenging the Weight
We can hire independent forensic chemists to re-test the drugs, sometimes revealing that the weight was less than alleged—potentially dropping the charge to a lower tier with a smaller mandatory minimum.
3. Lack of Possession
If the drugs were found in a shared space, the prosecution must prove you knowingly possessed them. Proximity alone is not enough.
4. Entrapment
If law enforcement induced you to commit a crime you otherwise would not have committed, entrapment could be a defense.
Why Mandatory Minimums Are So Dangerous
Mandatory minimum sentences remove the judge’s discretion and eliminate most opportunities for leniency. In a Brockton or Boston cocaine trafficking case, this means:
No parole eligibility before 10 years
No sentence reduction for good behavior below the minimum
Immense pressure to take a plea deal if the evidence is strong
This is why hiring a criminal defense lawyer experienced in drug trafficking cases is essential. Your attorney must know how to undermine the prosecution’s evidence and negotiate strategically.
How a Brockton Drug Crime Lawyer Can Help
At Benzaken, Maguire, Sheehan & Wood, LLP, we approach cocaine trafficking cases with a combination of aggressive motion practice and meticulous investigation.
Our defense strategies often include:
Filing motions to suppress evidence from illegal searches
Challenging lab results and forensic testing procedures
Cross-examining police officers on inconsistencies in their reports
Highlighting reasonable doubt about possession or knowledge
Negotiating for reduced charges where appropriate
We have represented clients in Brockton Superior Court, Plymouth County, Suffolk County, and federal court on serious drug cases.
Local Perspective: Brockton & Boston Drug Cases
In Brockton and Boston, law enforcement takes cocaine trafficking very seriously. Task forces often involve:
Massachusetts State Police
Local police departments (Brockton PD, Boston PD, Quincy PD, etc.)
Federal agencies like the DEA
This means you could face both state and federal charges for the same conduct, and your lawyer must understand how to navigate both systems.
Collateral Consequences Beyond Prison
A conviction for trafficking cocaine in Massachusetts doesn’t just mean prison—it can also result in:
Loss of driver’s license for up to 5 years
Asset forfeiture of cash, vehicles, or property
Permanent criminal record impacting employment and housing
Immigration consequences for non-citizens, including deportation
This is why your defense must focus not only on avoiding conviction but also on minimizing long-term damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get probation for trafficking over 100 grams of cocaine in Massachusetts?
A: No. The mandatory minimum sentence is 10 years in state prison.
Q: If it’s a first offense, will I get less time?
A: The mandatory minimum still applies, even for first-time offenders.
Q: Can the case be reduced to possession or distribution?
A: Possibly. If we can show the weight was under 100 grams or challenge the prosecution’s evidence, the charge may be reduced.
Q: Is there parole before the 10-year minimum?
A: No. You must serve the full minimum before becoming eligible for parole.
Take Immediate Action if You’re Facing These Charges
The earlier you contact a Brockton or Boston-area criminal defense lawyer for a trafficking charge, the more options you have. Evidence can be challenged, lab testing can be scrutinized, and procedural errors can be exposed—but these opportunities shrink if you wait.
Contact Benzaken, Maguire, Sheehan & Wood, LLP Today
If you’re facing a cocaine trafficking charge in the 100–200 gram range, call us immediately at (508) 897-0001 or contact us online for a confidential consultation. We defend clients in Brockton, Boston, and across Massachusetts against serious drug charges.
Your future is on the line—let us fight for you.