With a history as the drug capital of the world, Miami has been a major entry point for illegal drugs since the 1970s. With the high rates of drugs entering the city, violence and crime have increased. Increased violence spurred a rebuttal with increased law enforcement presence and stiffer drug crime penalties, leading to the current Miami drug-related crime statistics.
Hire a Drug Crime Lawyer
You should never face drug charges alone. An experienced drug crime attorney can help you build a solid defense strategy. When you hire a drug crime lawyer, you get an advocate who can craft a strategic legal plan and keep you informed of the legal process and your rights. A drug crime attorney at the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax can negotiate for a lighter sentence, file pretrial motions on your behalf, and defend you in court.
Miami Drug-Related Crime Statistics
Looking at crime statistics for drug-related offenses only gives a partial picture of the impact drugs have on crime rates. Drug abuse has far-reaching consequences and affects many areas in Miami. Areas directly affected by drug abuse include:
- South Beach
- Overtown
- Liberty City
- Miami Beach
Some crimes are directly related to the manufacturing, distribution, and consumption of illegal drugs. Some people commit other crimes, like burglary or prostitution, to afford drugs, or they commit crimes, like disorderly conduct or driving under the influence (DUI), while on drugs.
The Miami Police Department reports yearly on three categories of crime:
- Crime against persons
- Crime against property
- Crime against society
Drug-related crimes are considered crimes against society. For 2024, Miami recorded 1,448 drug and narcotic violations and 644 drug equipment violations. There were also reports of four drug-related DUIs and eight drug and alcohol DUIs.
Several crimes against society may occur when someone is on drugs, such as disorderly conduct arrests, which had 159 incidents, and curfew, loitering, or vagrancy violations, which had 219 incidents.
Crimes against property are a common method of obtaining money to purchase illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia. Property crime violations in Miami include:
- 459 robberies
- 1,437 burglaries
- 166 pick-pocketing incidents
- 62 purse snatching incidents
- 2,206 shoplifting incidents
- 3,470 motor-vehicle thefts
- 598 stolen property offenses
- 3,220 vandalism incidents
Crimes against people can also be fueled by the effects of illegal drugs. Miami saw 1,741 aggravated assaults and 4,502 simple assaults in 2024. There were also 21 cases of human trafficking, a crime commonly associated with large drug trafficking operations.
Drug Trafficking Offenses
Drug possession occurs when someone has a small amount of a controlled substance for personal use. By contrast, drug trafficking involves large quantities of one or more controlled substances. Even if an individual has a large amount of drugs that they intend to personally use, they can be charged with drug trafficking.
The United States Sentencing Commission collects data from across the country on several federal offenses. A total of 61,678 cases were reported in 2024, including 18,150 drug cases and 18,029 drug trafficking cases. For drug trafficking cases, seven types of drugs accounted for most offenses:
- 8% Methamphetamine
- 1% Fentanyl and analogues
- 5% Powdered cocaine
- 8% Crack cocaine
- 3% Heroin
- 6% Marijuana
- 1% Oxycodone
Of the individuals sentenced for drug trafficking, 84.4% were male, and 45.2% had little or no past criminal record.
Average sentence length varied with the type of drug being trafficked, with methamphetamine trafficking receiving the longest sentence of 100 months and marijuana trafficking receiving the shortest sentence of 37 months.
Offenders received longer sentences if they were in possession of a weapon (30.2%) or had a leadership role in the trafficking organization (6.9%). Lighter sentences were given if the offender played a minor role (17.9%) or met the safety valve criteria in sentencing guidelines (35.0%).
The types of drugs being trafficked have changed over time. From 2020 to 2024, the following changes occurred:
- Powder cocaine increased 30.0%
- Methamphetamine increased 10.0%
- Fentanyl increased 248.2%
- Crack cocaine decreased 43.9%
- Heroin decreased 68.1%
- Marijuana decreased 57.9%
- Oxycodone decreased 30.3%
Criminal Defense Matter Types We Handle
Our firm provides expert legal representation for the following specific criminal defense matters:
- Miami Criminal Defense Attorney – Comprehensive representation for all criminal charges in state and federal court, from initial investigation through trial and appeals, with personal attention from an attorney with nearly 40 years of experience
- Miami Drug Crime Lawyer – Comprehensive representation for possession, distribution, and manufacturing charges involving controlled substances under state and federal law
- Miami Drug Trafficking Lawyer – Aggressive defense against serious drug trafficking charges carrying mandatory minimum sentences and severe federal penalties
FAQs About Miami, FL Drug-Related Crime Statistics
Are Drug-Related Offenses in Miami State or Federal Violations?
Drug-related offenses in Miami can be either state or federal violations depending on the specific characteristics of the crime. Possession, possession with intent to distribute, and manufacturing are generally state crimes.
Federal crimes include drug trafficking, drug manufacturing on federal property, and offenses involving federally regulated substances. Federal crimes also include any drug crime that crosses state borders. Penalties are usually more severe for federal crimes.
What Are Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Crimes in Florida?
Mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes in Florida are fixed prison terms that a judge is required to impose. The sentence must meet or exceed the mandatory minimum. The judge is not at liberty to impose a lighter sentence, even if they believe it is justified. With drug crimes, if you have a large amount of illegal drugs, you can face mandatory minimums that would apply to drug traffickers, even if you obtained the drugs for personal use.
What Are the Two Types of Drug Possession in Florida?
The two types of drug possession in Florida are actual and constructive. Actual possession means the drugs are physically on the person or within immediate reach of the person. Drugs found in your pocket or purse would constitute actual possession. Constructive possession is when the drugs are in close proximity to the person. Drugs found in the trunk of your car would be considered constructive possession.
Is There a Drug Problem in Miami?
Yes, there is a drug problem in Miami that affects people from all socioeconomic conditions. Both residents and tourists feel the effects of drug-related crimes and the strict laws that have been enacted in an effort to stop illicit drugs from entering the city. An increase in treatment facilities that aim to help addicts is one step toward reducing the number of people using illegal drugs. With fewer users, there is less demand.
Contact the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax
Since 1985, Attorney Barry M. Wax has practiced criminal defense law throughout the country. With extensive experience in state and federal courts, he has represented clients accused of drug trafficking and other drug-related offenses. Drug charges require an immediate response and a strong defensive strategy. Contact the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax to schedule your confidential consultation.
