S.D. Tex. · Drug TraffickingFY2018–FY2025
Districts › Southern District of Texas
Drug Trafficking in the Southern District of Texas
S.D. Tex. · Fifth Circuit · Drug Trafficking nationally
The datafile contains cases reported to the Commission with sentencing documents. Sentence length statistics use the Commission's capped variable (sentences of 470 months or longer, including life, are recorded as 470 months) and exclude sentences of probation or a fine only. Figures are aggregates of past cases and are not a prediction for any case.
§ 1Length of prison terms
Interquartile range 31–96 months; mean 71. <10 cases at the Commission's 470-month cap (life or longer).
§ 2Summary
6,919 drug trafficking offences were sentenced in the Southern District of Texas across 8 fiscal years (FY2018–FY2025), 623 of them in FY2025; that is 12% of the district's caseload.
The median prison term was 60 months (5 years), close to the national median for drug trafficking offences (62 months) and shorter than the Fifth Circuit median (70). Half of prison terms fell between 31 and 96 months; 99% of cases carried a prison term.
38% of these sentences were within the guideline range (nationally for this offence type: 30%); 31% were below the range on a government motion and 31% below it for other reasons.
FY2025 had fewer cases than FY2018 (623 against 1,044). The median prison term was about the same in FY2025 as in FY2018.
These are aggregates of past cases. The guideline range for any case depends on its offence level, criminal history and statutory minimums, and the sentence on the court's findings; no figure here estimates an outcome.
§ 3Position relative to the guideline range
Within guideline range 38%Above range 0%Below range, government sponsored 31%Below range, other 31%Not determinable <10
§ 4Compared with the district, the circuit and the nation
| Measure | S.D. Tex., drug trafficking | S.D. Tex., all offences | 5th Cir., drug trafficking | US, drug trafficking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases per fiscal year | 865 | 7,239 | 3,269 | 18,239 |
| Share of district caseload | 11.9% | 100% | — | — |
| Median prison months | 60 | 12 | 70 | 62 |
| Mean prison months | 71 | 25 | — | 81 |
| Cases with a prison term | 99% | 97% | 98% | 97% |
| Within guideline range | 38% | 57% | 51% | 30% |
| Above range | 0% | 2% | 1% | 2% |
| Below range, government sponsored | 31% | 19% | 24% | 42% |
| Below range, other | 31% | 22% | 24% | 26% |
| Median final offence level | 26 | 12 | — | 27 |
§ 5Trend by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Cases | Prison | Median months | Within range | Below, gov. | Below, other | Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2018 | 1,044 | — | 57 | 54% | 20% | 26% | — |
| FY2019 | 952 | 99% | 51 | 42% | 28% | 31% | — |
| FY2020 | 629 | — | 60 | 34% | 28% | 38% | — |
| FY2021 | 953 | 99% | 60 | 36% | 28% | 36% | — |
| FY2022 | 982 | 99% | 60 | 30% | 36% | 34% | — |
| FY2023 | 894 | — | 60 | 33% | 38% | 28% | 1% |
| FY2024 | 842 | — | 57 | 37% | 37% | 26% | — |
| FY2025 | 623 | — | 60 | 36% | 37% | 27% | — |
§ 6Criminal history
Share of cases at each final criminal history category; grey figure: drug trafficking offences nationally.
§ 7Guidelines applied
- §2D1.1 Unlawful manufacturing, importing, exporting, trafficking or possession with intent (drugs) · 6,894 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §none · 5,621 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2X3.1 Accessory after the fact · 14 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2X1.1 Attempt, solicitation or conspiracy (not covered by a specific guideline) · 11 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2D1.2 Drug offenses occurring near protected locations or involving underage or pregnant individuals · <10 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2D1.8 Renting or managing a drug establishment · <10 cases in the district (all offence types)
Primary guidelines the Commission associates with this offence type, with the district's caseload under each across all offence types.
§ 8Questions and answers
What is the typical sentence for drug trafficking offences in the Southern District of Texas?
The median prison term over FY2018–FY2025 was 60 months (5 years), with the middle half of terms between 31 and 96 months. 99% of cases carried a prison term. The national median for drug trafficking offences is 62 months.
How often are drug trafficking offences sentenced below the guideline range here?
31% of sentences were below the range on a government motion and 31% below it for other reasons; 38% were within the range. The Commission's categories are explained in the guide to how the guidelines work.
How does this compare with the rest of the country?
Nationally, drug trafficking offences had a median prison term of 62 months and a within-range share of 30% over the same period. The district's figures are close to on median term and higher than the national within-range share.
Which guidelines are involved?
The most common primary guidelines for these cases are §2D1.1, §none and §2X3.1.
Is this a prediction for a particular case?
No. The figures are aggregates of sentences already imposed, as recorded by the US Sentencing Commission. They are not legal advice and do not estimate the outcome of any case.
§ 9Other offence types in the Southern District of Texas
- Immigration 44,554
- Firearms 1,859
- Fraud/Theft/Embezzlement 1,338
- Money Launder 571
- National Defense 451
- Robbery 451
- Child Pornography 377
- Administration of Justice 275
- Sex Abuse 239
- Prison Offenses 145
- Bribery/Corruption 144
- Assault 103
§ 10Provenance
Source: United States Sentencing Commission, Individual Offender Datafiles, fiscal years 2018–2025 (US government works), aggregated by this site; the FY2025 file is dated 29 Apr 2026. Offence type is the Commission's OFFGUIDE code 10; district is CIRCDIST 35. Counts below 10 are hidden or pooled. Errors in this site's processing are corrected at the next build; see corrections. Methodology.