Oxycodone Trafficking

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Of the 66,662 cases reported to the Commission in fiscal year 2025, 16,234 involved drugs.1 Of those, 16,144 cases involved drug trafficking;2 1% of such cases involved oxycodone (down 17% since fiscal year 2021).3

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Individual and Offense Characteristics

 

 

  • 76% of individuals sentenced for oxycodone trafficking were men.
     
  • 36% were White, 36% were Black, 24% were Hispanic, and 3% were Other races.
     
  • Their average age was 43 years. 
     
  • 99% were United States citizens.
     
  • 61% had little or no prior criminal history (Criminal History Category I); 2% were individuals sentenced under the career offender guideline (§4B1.1). 
     
  • The median base offense level in these cases was 26, corresponding to between 1,990 and 3,483 30-milligram instant release pills of oxycodone.
     
  • Sentences were increased for:
    • possessing a weapon (27%);
    • a leadership or supervisory role in the offense (16%).
       
  • Sentences were decreased for:
    • minor or minimal participation in the offense (10%);
    • meeting the safety valve criteria in the sentencing guidelines (29%).
       
  • The top five districts for oxycodone trafficking offenses were:
    • Southern District of New York (19);
    • District of Maryland (14);
    • District of New Jersey (11);
    • Eastern District of New York (9);
    • Eastern District of Kentucky (9).

 

 

Punishment

 

  • The average sentence for individuals trafficking oxycodone was 55 months. 
     
  • 87% were sentenced to prison.
     
  • Oxycodone trafficking does not carry a mandatory minimum penalty. 

 

Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range

  • 46% of sentences for oxycodone trafficking were under the Guidelines Manual.
    • 14% were within the guideline range.
       
    • 26% were substantial assistance departures.
      • The average sentence reduction was 68%.
         
    • 1% were Early Disposition Program (EDP) departures.4,5
       
    • 5% were some other downward departure.
      • The average sentence reduction was 49%.
    • 1% were upward departures.
       
  • 54% of sentences for oxycodone trafficking were variances.
    • 52% were downward variances.
      • The average sentence reduction was 48%.
         
    • 2% were upward variances.
      • The average sentence increase was 25%.

 

 

 

 

  • The average guideline minimum and average sentence imposed have increased over the past five years.
    • The average guideline minimum increased from 74 months in fiscal year 2021 to 93 months in fiscal year 2025.
       
    • The average sentence increased from 42 months in fiscal year 2021 to 55 months in fiscal year 2025.

 

 

 

1 Drug offenses include cases where individuals were sentenced under USSG Chapter Two, Part D (Drugs). There were 182 individuals sentenced for oxycodone offenses under USSG Chapter Two, Part D (Drugs) in FY 2025.

2 Individuals sentenced for drug trafficking were sentenced under USSG §§2D1.1 (Drug Trafficking), 2D1.2 (Protected Locations), 2D1.5 (Continuing Criminal Enterprise), 2D1.6 (Use of a Communication Facility), 2D1.8 (Rent/Manage Drug Establishment), 2D1.10 (Endangering Human Life), or 2D1.14 (Narco-Terrorism).

3 Cases with incomplete sentencing information were excluded from the analysis.

4 “Early Disposition Program" (or EDP) departures are departures where the government sought a sentence below the guideline range because the defendant participated in the government’s Early Disposition Program, through which cases are resolved in an expedited manner. See USSG §5K3.1.

5 The Commission does not report the average for categories with fewer than three cases.

SOURCE: United States Sentencing Commission, FY 2021 through FY 2025 Datafiles, USSCFY21-USSCFY25.

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