If you're on our website, it's because you're in serious legal trouble – and you need the absolute best Fresno drug trafficking lawyer on your side. At Spodek Law Group, we understand exactly what this means: the fear, the stress, the sleepless nights, the way prosecutors try to corner you before you’ve even had a chance to fight back. We take that very seriously. For over 50 years, our rock star team of attorneys has been defending clients against the most aggressive state and federal charges – and our loyalty is to only YOU, never the government, never the prosecutors.

When it comes to federal drug cases in Fresno, you don’t want just any lawyer. You want a firm that gets it. A firm that knows the federal system inside and out – because if you’re charged in the Eastern District of California, odds are you’re up against conspiracy statutes, mandatory minimums, and prosecutors who want to make an example out of you. This is why clients across the country call us when they feel hopeless. Because we are one of the few firms that takes so-called “unwinnable” cases and finds a way forward.

And you’ve probably heard of us before. In 2022, Netflix released a series about one of Todd Spodek’s clients: Anna Delvey (Anna Sorokin). The case captivated the nation. Todd represented her when everyone assumed it was over. That fight – that strategic, relentless fight – is the same energy we bring when defending clients facing drug trafficking charges here in Fresno. Federal cases aren’t about playing defense – they’re about going on the offensive, and that’s exactly how we approach them.

Why Fresno Is a Hotspot for Major Trafficking Prosecutions

Fresno isn’t just another city in California. It’s right in the heart of one of the most heavily targeted regions in the country – the Central Valley HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area). This designation covers Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Madera counties, and it wasn’t given by accident. The U.S. government has identified Fresno as a distribution hub. Surrounded by farmland, bolstered by transport corridors like I-5 and Highway 99, and linked to both the border and the Bay Area – it’s the perfect storm. Traffickers rely on Fresno, and law enforcement responds by pouring enormous resources here.

Just look at the seizures happening: in 2025 alone, federal agents seized around 44 million fentanyl pills, 4,500 pounds of fentanyl powder, and about 65,000 pounds of methamphetamine. These aren’t small busts – these numbers illustrate why cases here almost always go federal, and why the penalties are some of the toughest in the nation.

The Federal Spotlight on Fresno’s Drug Cases

The Eastern District of California, which oversees Fresno, isn’t shy when it comes to massive indictments. They routinely indict groups of 10, 15 – even 22 defendants at once. Not long ago, prosecutors indicted 22 people in a single conspiracy tied to 13,000 pounds of methamphetamine. In another bust, they dismantled two labs and seized 1,400 pounds of meth. Nothing about this is small scale. If you’re charged here, even if you think you played a minor role, federal prosecutors will try to hold you to the same standard as the so-called kingpins.

What’s the difference between state and federal drug trafficking charges?

This is where people make a mistake. State drug trafficking cases – while serious – often allow for probation, flexible deals, or diversion programs. Federal cases? A whole different world. You’re looking at statutes designed to hammer everyone equally in a conspiracy, mandatory minimums that start at 10 years, and enhancements that can add decades. A low-level courier can face the same sentence as an alleged organizer. That’s why you absolutely cannot rely on a state-focused lawyer. You need a firm that lives and breathes federal criminal defense every single day – and that’s us.

Current Enforcement Patterns: What Recent Arrests Reveal

In Fresno, enforcement is shifting to tie drugs with violence, weapons, and overdose deaths. The strategy is simple: make charges heavier, make penalties higher, and apply maximum pressure on defendants. Examples:

• Case Study 1: The “M30 King of Fresno” and 17 others were taken down after fatal overdoses tied to fentanyl pills. Prosecutors didn’t just charge distribution – they pushed enhancements linked to death results.
• Case Study 2: In late 2024, the DEA arrested Alfredo Alvarez Sanchez and Raul Munoz Navarro in Fresno. Both now face conspiracy indictments with massive trafficking exposure – not limited to simple possession with intent.

These cases show a trend: the government wants to tie drug cases to violence, overdose, and firearms – turning an already severe charge into something much harsher. And here’s the problem: sometimes innocent mistakes, like being at the wrong place or simply knowing the wrong people, balloon into massive federal conspiracies. Defending against that takes skill. It takes strategy. And it takes an attorney who isn’t intimidated by enhancements or stacked charges.

What should I do if charged with drug trafficking in Fresno?

First, stop talking. Do not talk to law enforcement – not even once more. Second, call us. Immediately. At Spodek Law Group, our first move is to dissect the government’s investigation: wiretap validity, traffic stop constitutionality, search warrants, every single procedural step. Federal prosecutors work on these cases for months, sometimes years, before making an arrest. That means by the time you’re charged, they already think they’ve got you. Your margin of error is zero. The sooner you bring us in, the sooner we can begin leveling that playing field.

Penalties & Federal Exposure in Fresno

Drug trafficking penalties in federal court are unforgiving. We’re talking about mandatory minimums of 10 years – and in many cases, 10 years to life. In conspiracy cases, everyone is treated equally, no matter your role. It’s a shock to many people – a street-level dealer can end up facing the same sentencing guidelines as the alleged organizer. Fentanyl cases are especially severe, with as little as 40 grams triggering a 5-to-40 year sentence. Add firearms or allegations of overdose-related death, and you’re looking at decades stacked on top.

What are the penalties for drug trafficking in Fresno?

Here’s the reality: 500 grams of meth? 10 years mandatory minimum. Fentanyl? Just 40 grams – not kilos, grams – can put you in the 5-to-40 year sentencing bracket. Very little separates someone from facing probation versus life in prison. That’s why our federal defense strategy matters at every stage – because once mandatory minimums kick in, a judge’s hands are tied. The only real path is fighting the validity of the evidence itself.

State vs. Federal Drug Trafficking Charges in the Central Valley

A lot of clients come to us thinking their case will stay in Fresno County Superior Court. It won’t. Not if it’s significant. Local prosecutors are working hand-in-hand with DEA, ATF, and Homeland Security. Many state charges get elevated to federal indictments. State cases might allow flexibility in sentencing – federal prosecutors don’t offer the same leniency. The fight, in federal court, is often about suppression, mistaken identity, evidentiary issues – not about “cutting a deal.” And that requires a very different type of lawyer.

Can drug trafficking charges be dismissed in Fresno?

Yes, but make no mistake – dismissals are rare and you need a strong defense. Federal courts are only dismissing when evidence is tainted. That means illegal traffic stops on I-5 or Highway 99, unconstitutional searches of warehouses, or wiretaps obtained without enough probable cause. These are tough arguments. But they are real defenses. And our firm has had success getting charges reduced, dismissed, or evidence suppressed because we dig into these details that others overlook.

Cost and Strategy: Hiring a Fresno Federal Defense Lawyer

Clients always ask: how much will this cost? And the honest answer is = it depends. A single-defendant case is very different from a 20-defendant federal conspiracy. A case with one search warrant is very different from one with 15 wiretaps and terabytes of recorded calls. Costs rise with the complexity of discovery and manpower required to fight it. We’re upfront about fees – but the real value is what’s at stake: your freedom, your future, your life. Money regenerates, liberty doesn’t. That’s why we do what we do.

How much does a drug trafficking lawyer cost in Fresno?

It varies, plain and simple. But here’s how we think about it: if your case involves multiple defendants, wiretaps, chemical testing issues, or surveillance, the defense is more resource-intensive. If the case is smaller, it costs less. Either way – it’s not about the dollar figure, it’s about achieving a result that actually changes your outcome and gives you your life back. That’s the conversation that matters.

Local Insight Advantage in Defense

One of the most overlooked parts of hiring a lawyer is local knowledge. We know the Fresno federal court system – the judges, the prosecutors, even the jury pool dynamics. We know how the HIDTA designation influences the aggressiveness of enforcement, and how community outrage over fentanyl and violent crime pressures prosecutors to demand maximum sentencing. We use that knowledge to build defenses juries actually pay attention to.

And here’s a local reality: countless cases come from traffic stops on I-5 and Highway 99. DEA task forces depend on them. But not all of those stops meet constitutional standards. We know how to challenge them – and we’ve seen suppression motions win cases here in ways other attorneys don’t even consider.

We’ve been defending criminal cases for decades – with 50+ years of combined courtroom experience. Some of our work has been featured on national platforms, such as Netflix. And unlike firms that focus more on cozying up to prosecutors or judges, we owe loyalty to only YOU. That’s why clients all over the country, including here in Fresno, put their trust in us when freedom is on the line.

Closing: Why You Need Us Now

If you’ve been charged – or even suspect you’re being investigated – in Fresno for drug trafficking, waiting is the biggest mistake you can make. Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of California don’t guess. They don’t file cases lightly. By the time you’re indicted, they’ve already built a file they believe is bulletproof. That’s exactly why you need us today. At Spodek Law Group, we know how to flip their script. We know how to uncover weaknesses. And most importantly – we know how to fight for you when everyone else assumes it’s already over.

Call us now for a confidential consultation. We’re ready. We’ll fight back. And we’ll fight hard. Because that’s what it takes – and because we believe we can make a real, positive impact on your life.