What are the penalties for border crossing and drug crimes?

Many of the crimes in the Southern California area involve the international border. The federal government has taken a very hard stance on drug crimes as part of the war on drugs. Even a first offender who transports drugs across the border, depending on the type and quantity, may be facing a mandatory sentence of ten or five years without parole.Many individuals who transport drugs are unknowing couriers or "blind mules" and may be able to obtain legal relief. If you are caught at the border and contraband is discovered in your vehicle, regardless of your guilt or innocence , DO NOT MAKE A STATEMENT TO THE POLICE BECAUSE IT WILL ONLY HURT YOU! The government often dismisses charges against passengers when there is a lack of evidence but almost never dismisses charges when a person admits knowledge of the drugs. Any statement you make may be twisted by the police to appear to make you look guilty even though you are not.Crimes involving the unlawful entry of non-U.S. citizens are treated equally harshly in the post September 11th environment of this country. Even though a person may have lived his whole life in the United States and have all of his family here, returning to the United States illegally may result in a lengthy prison sentence.For all border crossing and drug crimes, it is best to hire an attorney.