The California law that makes it unlawful to conceal a controlled substance in a fake compartment is Health and Safety Code 11366.8 HS. The crime is punishable by up to 3 years in prison and may be tried as a misdemeanor or felony.
According to this law, it is unlawful for someone to:
- The ability to own or employ a fake compartment with the purpose of concealing or transporting drugs inside of it.
- In order to conceal or carry drugs inside a vehicle, create a phony compartment within or attached to the vehicle.
Any box or enclosure that is intended or created to conceal a prohibited substance is referred to as a “false compartment.”
What Exactly Does It Mean to Hide Substances in a Falsified Compartment?
Regarding the use of fictitious compartments to conceal drugs, see California Health and Safety Code 11366.8. The relevant code section forbids two acts.
First, a violation of Health and Safety Code 11366.8(a) includes:
- own, operate, or maintain a fake compartment
- to do so with the purpose of placing drugs therein for storage, concealment, smuggling, or transportation
Second, a violation of Health and Safety Code 11366.8(b) includes:
- create, assemble, modify, set up, or affix a fake compartment to a vehicle
- to act in such a way with the intent to transfer, smuggle, conceal, or store a banned substance therein
A “false compartment” is any box, container, space, or enclosure contain or built to conceal any drug inside of it. However, a “vehicle” may be personal or professional in nature. Common vehicles include, for instance: vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, buses, airplanes, boats, ships, and yachts.
Does Health and Safety Code 11366.8 HS Have Any Defenses?
A suspect of hiding drugs in a false compartment may contest the accusation by raising a legal defense. A charge is frequently withdrawn or decreased as a result of a successful defense. Please be aware, however, that in order to mount the strongest defense possible, a defendant must hire representation.
Three typical countermeasures against HSC 11366.8 allegations include:
- forced admission
- entrapment
- no intention
What Penalties Apply?
A wobbler is a person who hides narcotics in a false compartment; as a result, the offense is punishable as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Overall an individual who breaches Health and Safety Code 11366.8(a) may get a maximum penalty of one year in the county jail.
According to Health and Safety Code 11366.8(b), the following offenses may result in a sentence of incarceration in the county jail:
- 15 months
- two, three, or more years
Please be aware that a judge may impose criminal probation instead of jail time. This kind of probation is also referred to as “summary” or “informal” probation.
Similar Offenses
The hiding of drugs in a phony compartment is a criminal in three different ways. Which are: HSC 11351, HSC 11366, HSC 11379.
Possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell – HSC 11351
California Health and Safety Code 11351 HS forbids the possession of some illegal substances with the aim to resale them. These include illicit narcotics like cocaine, heroin, and LSD. HSC 11351 also provides coverage for widely use prescription drugs like codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin), and oxycodone (Oxycontin).
Running a drug house: HSC 11366
Operating a drug house is against California Health & Safety Code 11366 HS. “Drug houses” are any establishments that specialize in the distribution or sale of unlawful controlled narcotics. In California, operating a drug house is a wobbler offense, which means it can result in either a misdemeanor or a felony prosecution.
Drug and narcotics manufacture – HSC 11379.6
Without a license, it is illegal to produce drugs, narcotics, or restricted substances, according to California Health and Safety Code 11379.6 HS. More particularly, it forbids production. As a result, a felony accusation will be brought for violating Health and Safety Code 11379.6.
Glendale Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been guilty of a felony under California Health and Safety Code 11366.8, we encourage you to contact our attorneys for a consultation. Please feel free to give our office a call at 310.943.1171.