Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.002(25) defines manufacture as meaning “the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion, or processing of a controlled substance other than marihuana, directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of natural origin, independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis, and includes the packaging or repackaging of the substance or labeling or relabeling of its container.” The term, however, does not include the preparation, compounding, packaging, or labeling of a controlled substance by a practitioner as an incident to the practitioner’s administering or dispensing a controlled substance in the course of professional practice, or a practitioner, or by an authorized agent under the supervision of the practitioner, for or as an incident to research, teaching, or chemical analysis and not for delivery.
Drug manufacturing charges are most common in incidents involving alleged crystal meth labs, where a variety of chemicals may be used to make illegal drugs. Drug manufacturing charges can be serious business that may result in state charges or possibly federal charges when an alleged offender is believed to have committed an offense crossing state lines.
Were you recently arrested for an alleged drug manufacturing offense in Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Arlington, or a surrounding area of Tarrant County? Do not wait to get in touch with The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, the law firm committed to helping people overcome all kinds of drug charges.
Our firm understands the tremendous stress that can accompany these kinds of criminal charges and we will work with you to put your mind at ease while we develop a winning defense. Call (817) 422-5350 or contact us online to have us look at your case and speak to you more about your case during a consultation.
Texas dedicates different statutes to different drug penalty groups, so an alleged drug manufacturing crime could be classified under any of the following:
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly manufactures, delivers, or possesses with intent to deliver a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1. Penalty Group 1 includes opiates (morphine, codeine, heroin, opium, methadone, oxycodone), cocaine, crack cocaine, rohypnol, methamphetamine or meth, GHB, and ketamine.
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly manufactures, delivers, or possesses with intent to deliver a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1-A. Penalty Group 1-A includes lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
If it is shown at the punishment phase of a trial for the manufacture of a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1 that when the offense was committed a child younger than 18 years of age was present on the premises where the offense was committed, the punishments specified by Texas Health And Safety Code § 481.112(b) and (c) are increased by one degree; the minimum term of imprisonment specified by Texas Health And Safety Code § 481.112(e) is increased to 15 years and the maximum fine specified by that section is increased to $150,000; and the minimum term of imprisonment specified by Texas Health And Safety Code § 481.112(f) is increased to 20 years and the maximum fine specified by that section is increased to $300,000.
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly manufactures, delivers, or possesses with intent to deliver a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 2 or 2-A. Penalty Group 2 includes 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Molly, or Ecstasy), 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mescaline, psilocybin, and several other hallucinogenic substances. Penalty Group 2-A includes synthetic cannabinoids and any material, compound, mixture, or preparation that contains any quantity of a natural or synthetic chemical substance.
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly manufactures, delivers, or possesses with intent to deliver a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 3 or 4. Penalty Group 3 includes diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and materials, compounds, mixtures, or preparations containing limited quantities of other enumerated narcotic drugs. Penalty Group 4 includes materials, compounds, mixtures, or preparations containing any quantity of buprenorphine, butorphanol, pyrovalerone, or other enumerated narcotic drugs.
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly manufactures, delivers, or possesses with intent to deliver a controlled substance listed in a schedule by an action of the commissioner under this chapter but not listed in a penalty group. An offense under this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000, except that the offense is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in state jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000 if the person has been previously convicted of an offense under this subsection or a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000 if the person has been previously convicted two or more times of an offense under this subsection.
A person also commits an offense if they knowingly or intentionally possess a controlled substance listed in a schedule by an action of the commissioner under this chapter but not listed in a penalty group. An offense under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
A person commits an offense if, with intent to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance, the person possesses or transports anhydrous ammonia, an immediate precursor, a chemical precursor, or an additional chemical substance named as a precursor by the director under Texas Health And Safety Code § 481.077(b)(1).
For purposes of this section, an intent to unlawfully manufacture the controlled substance methamphetamine is presumed if the actor possesses or transports anhydrous ammonia in a container or receptacle that is not designed and manufactured to lawfully hold or transport anhydrous ammonia, lithium metal removed from a battery and immersed in kerosene, mineral spirits, or similar liquid that prevents or retards hydration, or in one container, vehicle, or building, phenylacetic acid, or more than nine grams, three containers packaged for retail sale, or 300 tablets or capsules of a product containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, and anhydrous ammonia; at least three of the following categories of substances commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine: lithium or sodium metal or red phosphorus, iodine, or iodine crystals; lye, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, or muriatic acid; an organic solvent, including ethyl ether, alcohol, or acetone; a petroleum distillate, including naphtha, paint thinner, or charcoal lighter fluid; or aquarium, rock, or table salt; or at least three of the following items: an item of equipment subject to regulation under Section 481.080, if the person is not a registrant; or glassware, a plastic or metal container, tubing, a hose, or other item specially designed, assembled, or adapted for use in the manufacture, processing, analyzing, storing, or concealing of methamphetamine.
An offense under this section is:
A person commits an offense if the person sells, transfers, or otherwise furnishes a chemical precursor subject to Texas Health And Safety Code § 481.077(a) with the knowledge or intent that the recipient will use the chemical precursor to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance or controlled substance analogue. An offense under this section is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
If at the guilt or innocence phase of the trial of an offense described by Texas Health And Safety Code § 481.141(b), the judge or jury, whichever is the trier of fact, determines beyond a reasonable doubt that a person died or suffered serious bodily injury as a result of injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or introducing into the person’s body any amount of the controlled substance manufactured or delivered by the alleged offender, regardless of whether the controlled substance was used by itself or with another substance, including a drug, adulterant, or dilutant, the punishment for the offense is increased by one degree. This section applies to an offense otherwise punishable as a state jail felony, felony of the third degree, or felony of the second degree under Texas Health And Safety Code § 481.112, 481.1121, 481.113, 481.114, or 481.122.
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally manufactures with the intent to deliver or delivers a simulated controlled substance and the person expressly represents the substance to be a controlled substance, represents the substance to be a controlled substance in a manner that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the substance is a controlled substance, or states to the person receiving or intended to receive the simulated controlled substance that the person may successfully represent the substance to be a controlled substance to a third party. An offense under this section is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in state jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Just as drug manufacturing is prohibited under state law, it is also illegal under federal law. Federal charges can become more common in manufacturing cases when the alleged activity is believed to have crossed state lines.
Under 21 U.S. Code (USC) § 841, it is unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a controlled substance; or to create, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to distribute or dispense, a counterfeit substance.
In the case of a violation involving—
The alleged offender will be sentenced to a term of imprisonment which may not be less than 10 years or more than life and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be not less than 20 years or more than life, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $10,000,000 if the alleged offender is an individual or $50,000,000 if the alleged offender is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a serious drug felony or serious violent felony has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years and not more than life imprisonment and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to life imprisonment, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $20,000,000 if the alleged offender is an individual or $75,000,000 if the alleged offender is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits a violation of this subparagraph or of section 849, 859, 860, or 861 of this title after 2 or more prior convictions for a serious drug felony or serious violent felony have become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 25 years and fined in accordance with the preceding sentence.
In the case of a violation of subsection (a) of this section involving—
The alleged offender will be sentenced to a term of imprisonment which may not be less than 5 years and not more than 40 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be not less than 20 years or more than life, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $5,000,000 if the alleged offender is an individual or $25,000,000 if the alleged offender is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a serious drug felony or serious violent felony has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment which may not be less than 10 years and not more than life imprisonment and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to life imprisonment, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $8,000,000 if the alleged offender is an individual or $50,000,000 if the alleged offender is other than an individual, or both. Notwithstanding section 3583 of title 18, any sentence imposed under this subparagraph shall, in the absence of such a prior conviction, include a term of supervised release of at least 4 years in addition to such term of imprisonment and shall, if there was such a prior conviction, include a term of supervised release of at least 8 years in addition to such term of imprisonment.
In the case of a controlled substance in schedule I or II, gamma hydroxybutyric acid (including when scheduled as an approved drug product for purposes of section 3(a)(1)(B) of the Hillory J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date-Rape Drug Prohibition Act of 2000), or 1 gram of flunitrazepam, except as provided in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (D), such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty years or more than life, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $1,000,000 if the alleged offender is an individual or $5,000,000 if the alleged offender is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a felony drug offense has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 30 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to life imprisonment, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $2,000,000 if the alleged offender is an individual or $10,000,000 if the alleged offender is other than an individual, or both.
In the case of fewer than 50 kilograms of marijuana, except in the case of 50 or more marijuana plants regardless of weight, 10 kilograms of hashish, or one kilogram of hashish oil, such person shall, except as provided in paragraphs (4) and (5) of this subsection, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 5 years, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $250,000 if the alleged offender is an individual or $1,000,000 if the alleged offender is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a felony drug offense has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $500,000 if the alleged offender is an individual or $2,000,000 if the alleged offender is other than an individual, or both.
Drug Facts | DEA — Visit this section of the DEA website to learn more about different kinds of drugs. You can also use the website to learn more about drug scheduling. There is additional information about law enforcement, education and prevention, and more news and drug information.
Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) — LEAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit of police, prosecutors, judges, corrections officials, and other law enforcement officials advocating for criminal justice and drug policy reforms that will make our communities safer and more just. The Law Enforcement Action Partnership believes that adult drug abuse is a public health problem and not a law enforcement matter. It argues that as the government ends prohibition, it should release drug offenders, expunge their records, and restore their civil rights.
If you were arrested for an alleged drug manufacturing offense in Mansfield, Flower Mound, North Richland Hills, or some other community in Tarrant County, you are going to need to get yourself a skilled criminal defense lawyer. You will want to be sure that you contact The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy.
Our firm understands the severity of manufacturing charges and can work to help you achieve the most favorable possible outcome. We will be happy to look over your case and answer all of your legal questions when you call (817) 422-5350 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.