Drug Manufacturing
AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE & DEDICATED REPRESENTATION
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Drug Crimes
Drug Manufacturing
- Drug Paraphernalia
- Possession
- Drug Trafficking
- Federal Drug Crimes
- Drug Distribution
- Prescription Fraud
No Charges Aggravated Assault
ALLEGATION: Client arrested for drive-by shooting and was facing the possibility of a minimum mandatory 15 year prison sentence under Florida’s 10-20-Life Law. RESULT: After consulting with with prosecutors and law enforcement NO CHARGES WERE FILED.
Negotiated Plea DUI Manslaughter
ALLEGATION: Client charged with DUI Manslaughter. Client faced up to 15 years prison and a permanent loss of his drivers’ license. RESULT: Client entered negotiated plea to probation and is eligible to drive with a hardship license.
Not Convicted Sexual Battery
ALLEGATION: Client who holds a professional certification and license with the State of Florida was accused of Sexual Battery with the possibility of 15 years prison and mandatory “Sexual Offender” designation. Arrest was reported in the Panama City News Herald. RESULT: Charge reduced without consent of victim to simple battery (misdemeanor). Client NOT CONVICTED of any criminal offense and not designated a Sexual Offender. Client able to return to work without loss of professional certification and license
Client NOT CONVICTED Violation of Probation
ALLEGATION: Client violated probation for a second time by failing to report (“absconding”), committing a new crime of Battery, not completing DUI school and failing to complete court ordered community service hours.
Not Convicted Violation of Probation
ALLEGATION: Client violated probation by failing to report (“absconding”) and committing a new felony of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Forgery. Client was on probation for 7 counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud, 6 counts of Forgery, and 6 counts of Criminal Use of Personal Identification.
Drug Manufacturing in Panama City
What You Need to Know
Drug manufacturing charges are among the most aggressively investigated and prosecuted drug offences in Florida. Law enforcement dedicates significant resources to these investigations — surveillance, informants, aerial photography, and property searches — and the charges that result carry serious felony penalties.
Rusty Shepard is a former Assistant State Attorney who spent years prosecuting drug offences in Bay County before dedicating his career to defence. He knows how manufacturing investigations are built — the evidence law enforcement relies on, the search methods they use, and where those methods frequently cross constitutional boundaries.
What Counts as Drug Manufacturing in Florida?
Under Florida Statute § 893.13, drug manufacturing includes any illegal process associated with producing, preparing, packaging, labelling, or cultivating a controlled substance. This includes:
- Growing or cultivating marijuana plants — even a small number of plants can trigger manufacturing charges
- Operating a methamphetamine or fentanyl lab
- Producing cocaine, MDMA, or other synthetic drugs
- Packaging or preparing a controlled substance for distribution
- Maintaining equipment or precursor chemicals used in drug production
In Florida, you do not need to be caught in the act of manufacturing to face these charges. Possession of equipment, chemicals, or supplies consistent with manufacturing — combined with trace amounts of a controlled substance — can be sufficient to support a charge.
Penalties for Drug Manufacturing in Florida
- Marijuana cultivation — Third Degree Felony: up to 5 years in state prison and a $5,000 fine for fewer than 25 plants. Second Degree Felony for 25 or more plants: up to 15 years and a $10,000 fine.
- Manufacturing methamphetamine — Second Degree Felony: up to 15 years and a $10,000 fine. If the lab posed a risk to others or was operated near a school, church, or childcare facility, enhanced penalties apply.
- Manufacturing other Schedule I or II substances — Second Degree Felony: up to 15 years and a $10,000 fine
- Manufacturing with a minor present — enhanced penalty provisions apply
Drug manufacturing charges frequently overlap with drug trafficking charges when the quantity produced meets trafficking thresholds. A trafficking charge carries mandatory minimum prison sentences that manufacturing alone does not.
The Fourth Amendment Is the Most Important Issue in Manufacturing Cases
Drug manufacturing investigations frequently involve surveillance of private property, searches of homes and outbuildings, and in some cases aerial photography or drone surveillance. These investigative methods are subject to strict Fourth Amendment limitations — and law enforcement regularly exceeds those limitations.
Rusty Shepard examines every manufacturing case for:
- Was a valid search warrant obtained before the search? A warrantless search of a home or curtilage is presumptively unconstitutional
- Was the warrant supported by probable cause, or was it based on an unreliable informant or stale information?
- Did law enforcement conduct surveillance from public areas — or did they trespass on private property to conduct observation?
- Was the ‘knock and announce’ requirement followed before executing the warrant?
- Was evidence gathered from trash cans on private property — without a warrant? In some jurisdictions this requires careful analysis
A successful Fourth Amendment challenge results in suppression of all evidence gathered from the unlawful search. In a manufacturing case, that typically means the entire case collapses — the drugs, the equipment, and the lab evidence are all excluded.
Federal Drug Manufacturing Charges
Manufacturing controlled substances — particularly methamphetamine and fentanyl — frequently attracts federal prosecution, particularly when the operation is viewed as part of a larger distribution network. Federal manufacturing charges carry substantially longer sentences than state charges and are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office rather than the State Attorney. Shepard Law handles both state and federal drug manufacturing defence.
Charged with drug manufacturing in Panama City or Bay County? Call Shepard Law at (850) 290-2505 immediately. Available 24/7. Free consultation. Search issues must be raised early — evidence suppression motions have deadlines.
Drug Crimes
Drug Manufacturing
- Drug Paraphernalia
- Possession
- Drug Trafficking
- Federal Drug Crimes
- Drug Distribution
- Prescription Fraud
No Charges Aggravated Assault
ALLEGATION: Client arrested for drive-by shooting and was facing the possibility of a minimum mandatory 15 year prison sentence under Florida’s 10-20-Life Law. RESULT: After consulting with with prosecutors and law enforcement NO CHARGES WERE FILED.
Negotiated Plea DUI Manslaughter
ALLEGATION: Client charged with DUI Manslaughter. Client faced up to 15 years prison and a permanent loss of his drivers’ license. RESULT: Client entered negotiated plea to probation and is eligible to drive with a hardship license.
Not Convicted Sexual Battery
ALLEGATION: Client who holds a professional certification and license with the State of Florida was accused of Sexual Battery with the possibility of 15 years prison and mandatory “Sexual Offender” designation. Arrest was reported in the Panama City News Herald. RESULT: Charge reduced without consent of victim to simple battery (misdemeanor). Client NOT CONVICTED of any criminal offense and not designated a Sexual Offender. Client able to return to work without loss of professional certification and license
Client NOT CONVICTED Violation of Probation
ALLEGATION: Client violated probation for a second time by failing to report (“absconding”), committing a new crime of Battery, not completing DUI school and failing to complete court ordered community service hours.
Not Convicted Violation of Probation
ALLEGATION: Client violated probation by failing to report (“absconding”) and committing a new felony of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Forgery. Client was on probation for 7 counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud, 6 counts of Forgery, and 6 counts of Criminal Use of Personal Identification.
What Sets Shepard Law Apart?
Your case is our priority. We aim for the best outcome.
We understand the complexities of the legal system and the impact on your life. Our focus is on securing your future.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
Our clients’ voices matter. Read about real cases and the positive outcomes achieved with our legal guidance.
Personable and understanding
“Rusty is very personable and accommodating. He made himself available on short notice and met with me after hours. He told me not to worry and got everything dismissed in court this morning! Thank you Rusty and Lisa!!!”
– Lauren
Sweetest, kindest, most Professional #1
“Mr. Shepard and his staff are amazing! They went above and beyond to help me. I would not want anyone else on my team! I am young and despite that, he made sure that the judge saw me as a person and not just a young person. He and his office even spent extra time with me and attended to every single thousand question that I had. They could not get a better rating 10 stars!!”
– Jessica
Absolutely Recommend
“Shepard Law is truly one of a kind!!! Their team of attorneys and support staff knows criminal law inside and out. They will take a case to trial with no fear and are a force to be seen in the courtroom!!!! They are compassionate and make their clients feel supported every single step of the way. They are flexible with payment options, which allows everyone to be able to receive TOP QUALITY representation. I would absolutely recommend Shepherd Law to any of my friends or family members without hesitation.”
– Vanessa M.
Under a time line!!!
“My wife and I found out on a Monday that we needed a Defense Attorney on Tuesday for a family situation. I called the office and Megan quickly contacted Rusty and he reassured us that he would be at court on Tuesday and he would take care of everything. Those words were the most comforting we’ve heard as this came up not long after Hurricane Michael. Rusty and his office has no idea how much he helped us and how much we appreciate their quick response. Thank you will never cover how much you guys mean to us.”
– Craig E.
CONTACT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
At Shepard Law, we’re always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (850) 290-2505 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.
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