The bill amends Section 13A-12-231 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to implement mandatory minimum sentences and fines for various felony drug trafficking offenses, with specific penalties based on the quantity of controlled substances involved. Key insertions include mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment, such as a three-year sentence and a $25,000 fine for trafficking in cannabis quantities over one kilo but less than 100 pounds, escalating to life imprisonment for 1,000 pounds or more. Similar structures are established for other drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine, with varying penalties based on the amount trafficked. The bill also introduces new penalties for repeat offenders, mandating additional prison terms that cannot be suspended or probated for second and third convictions.

In addition to these insertions, the bill removes the term "felony" from the descriptions of trafficking offenses, streamlining the legal language. It modifies sentencing language to specify "sentenced to a mandatory minimum term" for various quantities of drugs, and reclassifies certain trafficking offenses as Class A felonies, which will impact sentencing under existing laws. Furthermore, individuals found in possession of a firearm during these offenses will face an additional five-year prison sentence and a $25,000 fine, with no option for suspension or probation. Overall, the bill aims to create a more structured and severe framework for drug trafficking offenses, reflecting a zero-tolerance approach to illegal drug distribution and possession in Alabama.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13A-12-231
Enrolled: 13A-12-231