Health & Safety Code 11352 HS – Transportation Of Controlled Substances

In this guide, I will explain Health & Safety Code 11352 which makes it illegal to do the following:

• Transport certain controlled substances with intent to sell them.
• Sell drugs
• Offer, furnish, give away, or administer drugs¹.

Lets get started,

Overview

In California, you can be convicted of transportation of drugs when you move them from one place to another, even if the distance is a short one. The transport must be for the purposes of a sale².

Transportation can be via foot, bicycle, or any other means of transportation.

How Does The Prosecutor Prove The Crime?

If you are charged with transporting a controlled substance, the prosecutor must prove the following elements to establish that you are guilty under Health & Safety Code Section 11352:

• The defendant sold³, furnished, administered, gave away, transported or imported into California a controlled substance⁴.
• The defendant knew of its presence⁵.
• The defendant knew of the substance’s nature or characteras a controlled substance⁵.

AND

•  The controlled substance was in a usable amount⁶.

Are All Drug Transport Crimes Prosecuted Under Health & Safety Code Section 11352?

No, a number of different drugs are prosecuted under separate code sections including:

• Marijuana sales & transportation
• Meth transportation

Legal Defenses

The Controlled Substance Was Prescribed

Under Health & Safety Code § 11352, it specifically provides a legitimate legal defense if the controlled substance in possession is a prescription.

It states: “Except as otherwise provided in this division, every person who transports… any controlled substance classified in …which is a narcotic drug, “unless upon the written prescription of a physician, dentist, podiatrist, or veterinarian licensed to practice in this state.”

You Did Not Transport The Controlled Substance

An attorney who fully understands drug laws, like Health & Safety Code §11352, can attempt to persuade the prosecutor that, regardless of the amount of movement, or lack thereof, that the element of intent to transport the controlled substance cannot be met.

As a result, a charge reduction to simple possession may be possible.

You Did Not Know Of The Substance’s Presence And/Or Nature And Character

This means that, if the arresting officers did not obtain sufficient evidence, such as eyewitness account, fingerprints, etc., which would show that you knew that the substance was present and/or knew of the nature and character of the substance.

Your attorney can attempt to persuade the prosecutor that the element of “knowledge” is not met, and thus a charge under Health & Safety Code §11352 cannot be proven.

You Were A Victim Of Entrapment By Law Enforcement Officials

Entrapment is the act of law enforcement officers or government agents inducing or encouraging a person to commit a crime when the potential criminal expresses a desire not to go ahead.

Entrapment is an effective legal defense if the commission or encouragement of the criminal act originated with the police or government agents, instead of with the defendant.

Penalties

Below is a list of possible penalties if convicted of Health and Safety Code 11352 which is a felony.

• 3, 6, or 9 years in prison⁷
• 1 year in the county jail, along with 3-5 years probation
• Fines up to $20,000, a precise amount as determined by the court
• Community Service, an amount as determined by the court

NOTE:  Sentences and fines may be increased dramatically, if you have any priorable drug offenses, in addition to a current charge under Section 11352.

Potential Program Eligibility

• Is noteligible for an Deferred Entry of Judgmentsentence,
• Is not eligible for Proposition 36-diversion sentence.

Are You Required To Register As A Drug Offender?

Yes, a conviction under hs 11352 requires registration as a drug offender.

Important Information

1. Health & Safety Code 11352(a) HS [↩]
2. Health & Safety Code 11352(c) – For purposes of this section, “transports” means to transport for sale. [↩]
3. Selling. People v. Lazenby (1992) 6 Cal.App.4th 1842, 1845 [8 Cal.Rptr.2d 541] [↩]
4. Transportation does not require personal possession by the defendant. (People v. Rogers (1971) 5 Cal.3d 129, 134 [95 Cal.Rptr. 601, 486 P.2d 129] [abrogated in part by statute on other grounds].) Transportation of a controlled substance includes transporting by riding a bicycle (People v. LaCross (2001) 91 Cal.App.4th 182, 187 [109 Cal.Rptr.2d 802]) or walking (People v. Ormiston (2003) 105 Cal.App.4th 676, 685 [129 Cal.Rptr.2d 567]). The controlled substance must be moved “from one location to another,” but the movement may be minimal. [↩]
5. Knowledge. People v. Horn (1960) 187 Cal.App.2d 68, 74–75 [9 Cal.Rptr. 578] [↩] [↩]
6. Transportation: Usable Amount. People v. Emmal (1998) 68 Cal.App.4th 1313, 1316 [80 Cal.Rptr.2d 907]; People v. Ormiston (2003) 105 Cal.App.4th 676, 682 [129 Cal.Rptr.2d 567] [↩]
7. Health & Safety Code 11352(b) HS. [↩]