Manufacturing A Controlled Substance – California Health and Safety Code 11379.6 HSC

What Is California Health and Safety Code § 11379.6 HS?

California Health & Safety Code 11379.6 makes it a felony to manufacture, produce, compound, convert, or process a controlled substance. This statute covers every stage of drug production, from cultivating plants used for narcotics to operating chemical laboratories or mixing chemicals to create illegal drugs.

“Manufacturing” under this law includes:

• Growing plants intended for use in producing controlled substances

• Running or assisting in a chemical drug lab

• Combining precursor chemicals to create narcotics

• Any process that results in — or is intended to result in — an illegal drug

You can be charged under 11379.6 HS even if no finished drugs were ever produced. Merely starting the manufacturing process, possessing certain chemicals, or having specialized equipment with the intent to make a controlled substance can be enough for prosecutors to file charges.

A conviction for manufacturing a controlled substance carries some of the harshest penalties in California’s drug laws, including lengthy prison terms, substantial fines, and a permanent felony record. These cases are aggressively prosecuted in Los Angeles County and often involve complex evidence such as chemical testing, lab reports, and expert testimony.

Examples of Conduct That Can Lead to 11379.6 Charges

Manufacturing charges aren’t limited to large-scale drug operations. In many cases, law enforcement will file this charge for activities that might seem minor but are still considered part of the production process. Even preliminary steps — before any drugs are finished — can be enough for prosecutors to pursue a case.

Some situations that have led to arrests include:

• Running a meth lab in a residence, storage unit, or rural property

• Using butane or other solvents to make hash oil or concentrated cannabis

• Combining precursor chemicals to create synthetic drugs like ecstasy or fentanyl

• Processing raw coca leaves into cocaine

• Assisting in any stage of a drug manufacturing operation, even if you never handled the finished product

Because the law allows prosecutors to charge you for simply starting the process or possessing equipment with intent to manufacture, these cases can move forward quickly — often before all the evidence is collected. That’s why early legal representation is so critical in fighting  11379.6 HS allegations.

Penalties for Manufacturing a Controlled Substance

Manufacturing a controlled substance under HS 11379.6 is one of the most heavily punished drug crimes in California — and it is always charged as a felony. Judges and prosecutors treat these cases as high-risk to public safety, which means sentencing can be severe, even for first-time offenders.

Potential consequences include:

• State prison time: 3, 5, or 7 years

• Fines: Up to $50,000

• Felony probation: Possible, but rare in manufacturing cases

• Asset forfeiture: Any equipment, property, or vehicles used in the manufacturing process can be seized

In addition to the base penalties, prosecutors can seek sentence enhancements that significantly increase prison time, including:

• Large-scale manufacturing involving substantial quantities of drugs

• Prior drug convictions on your record

• Manufacturing near schools or in the presence of minors

• Environmental damage caused by chemical disposal or hazardous production methods

Related Drug Offenses

[HSC 11350 – Possession of a Controlled Substance]
Covers the unlawful possession of narcotics such as cocaine, heroin, or certain prescription medications without a valid prescription.

[HSC 11351 – Possession for Sale of a Controlled Substance]
Involves possessing illegal drugs with the intent to sell them, rather than for personal use.

[HSC 11352 – Sale or Transportation of a Controlled Substance]
Prohibits selling, furnishing, administering, giving away, transporting, or importing controlled substances.

[HSC 11366 – Operating a Drug House]
Makes it a crime to open or maintain a place for the purpose of unlawfully selling, giving away, or using controlled substances.

[PC 182 – Conspiracy]
Charges can apply if two or more people agree to commit any drug-related crime, even if the crime itself is never completed.

Legal Defenses to 11379.6 HS Charges

If you’ve been accused of manufacturing a controlled substance under Health & Safety Code 11379.6, our Los Angeles criminal defense attorney can analyze your case and develop a defense strategy tailored to your situation. Depending on the facts, we may be able to argue one or more of the following defenses:

You didn’t reach the stage to manufacture
We may be able to argue that you never actually reached the point of manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, or processing any controlled substance. For example, if you were still in the planning stage and had not yet obtained or combined the necessary chemicals, the prosecution may not be able to prove you committed the crime.

Mere presence does not equal guilt
Simply being at a location where drugs are being made is not enough to convict you. You must be proven to have actively participated in the manufacturing process. If you were merely present — perhaps visiting a friend or renting space — without involvement, that can be a strong defense.

The substance was not a controlled drug
To convict you, the prosecution must prove that the substance involved is actually a controlled substance under California law. Lab mistakes, contamination, or misidentification can happen, and if the material isn’t legally classified as a prohibited drug, the charges should be dropped.

Evidence obtained through an illegal search
If law enforcement violated your Fourth Amendment rights by searching your home, vehicle, or property without a valid warrant or probable cause, any evidence they found may be inadmissible in court. Without that evidence, the prosecution’s case could collapse.

No intent to manufacture drugs
Many of the tools, chemicals, and equipment allegedly tied to drug manufacturing have legitimate, legal uses. If there is no evidence you intended to create an illegal controlled substance, we can argue you should not be convicted under HSC 11379.6.

False accusation or mistaken identity
You may have been wrongly accused due to a personal dispute, a co-defendant trying to reduce their own sentence, or simple mistaken identity. We work to expose false claims and show you were not responsible for any manufacturing activity.

At The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, we investigate every angle — from lab reports to search warrants — to uncover weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and fight for a dismissal or reduction of charges.

Speak With a Los Angeles Drug Manufacturing Defense Attorney Today

Attorney Arash Hashemi has over 20 years of experience defending clients against serious drug charges, including manufacturing controlled substances. He understands how prosecutors prepare these cases and knows how to challenge the evidence, question witness credibility, and fight for the best possible outcome—whether through negotiation, dismissal, or trial.

In some cases, drug diversion may be an alternative to incarceration. These programs allow eligible nonviolent offenders to receive treatment instead of serving jail or prison time. In California, options include Proposition 36, deferred entry of judgment under Penal Code 1000, and California drug court. We will evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and guide you toward the best defense strategy. Contact our office today to schedule a free, confidential case review and learn how we can protect your rights.

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