Mandatory Minimum Sentencing For Fentanyl Trafficking: Idaho's New Approach

Idaho has a growing drug problem and law enforcement and politicians are working to crack down on those caught trafficking in the state. Meth, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs have already been established as a danger to society but deadly fentanyl has yet to be included among them.

House Bill 406 aims to add fentanyl trafficking to the list of mandatory minimum sentencing offenses in Idaho.

New Idaho Bill Will Require Mandatory Punishment for Fentanyl Trafficking

The Idaho House of Representatives voted in favor of House Bill 406 (HB406) on Monday in a 55-13-2 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate. Once approved and added to the Idaho law books, the crime of trafficking fentanyl will come with a required punishment. The punishment will vary depending on the amount of fentanyl in the crime:

4-14 grams of fentanyl - Mandatory 3 years in prison and a $10,000 fine
14-28 grams of fentanyl - Mandatory 5 years in prison and at least a $15,000 fine
28 grams or more of fentanyl - Mandatory 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine
Maximum punishment - Life in prison and a fine of $100,000

Who Are the 13 House Members Who Voted Against Idaho House Bill 406

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Additionally, if the person trafficking the drug fentanyl causes the death of someone it will be a drug-induced homicide which is a felony and comes with a life term in prison and a maximum fine of $25,000.

ID HB406: Fentanyl Trafficking Bill Heads to the Idaho Senate

Now that the bill has been approved by the House it will head to the Idaho Senate (Judiciary and Rules Committee). The bill states that the fentanyl issue is an emergency and the ‘act shall be in full force and effect on and after July 1, 2024’.