Drug trafficking involves selling and distributing drugs. The charge is the same in most states no matter what the drug is—marijuana, methamphetamine or cocaine. Because the trafficking usually occurs from state to state and often from another country, offenders may face drug trafficking punishment after federal charges are filed. Federal drug charges usually carry longer prison sentences for offenders. For that reason, some states always turn over their drug trafficking cases to the federal government. Drug trafficking is a felony and in most cases has a higher penalty than drug possession of possession of a drug with the intent to sell. Since drug trafficking usually involves cartels that spread over several states and, in some cases, foreign countries, authorities may spend years investigating the operation before making an arrest. U.S. authorities have been watching drug cartels in Mexico, which reportedly have turned to violence to protect their drug trafficking trade.