Possession of Drug Proceeds
In Oklahoma, the crimes of drug trafficking and distribution are prosecuted aggressively and carry significant penalties. However, you can also be arrested and charged for receiving or possessing drug proceeds.
What Are Drug Proceeds?
If you or a loved one has been charged with the trafficking or distribution of drugs, the state may order police to search your property and seize anything that may have been purchased with alleged drug money. This property is referred to as “drug proceeds” and can include any of the following:
- Vehicles, property, or real estate purchased with money procured from the distribution, trafficking or production of drugs or controlled substances
- All controlled substances and illegal drugs involved with the case
- Drug paraphernalia
- Any materials or ingredients used for cultivating, manufacturing or producing drugs
- Property used to store or conceal drugs, paraphernalia, or anything the state considers “of value”
- Vehicles or equipment used in the transportation, cultivation or production of drugs
- Books or other records of drug sales or production processes
- Money found “in close proximity” to drugs or drug paraphernalia
Who Can be Charged with Possession of Drug Proceeds?
In order to be convicted of possessing or receiving drug proceeds, the state must prove that you knowingly received or acquired goods that were gained from illegal activity and that you knowingly concealed them.
In other words, if a drug dealer purchased an expensive car for his mother with money made in the drug trade, the vehicle would be considered drug proceeds. However, the prosecution would have to prove that the mother knew her child obtained the money for the vehicle through illegal activity in order to convict her of receiving drug proceeds.
Defending Drug Proceeds Charges
In a possession of drug proceeds case, the burden of proof is on the prosecution. A seasoned defense attorney can examine the evidence in your case to help you obtain the best possible result.