Maine criminal charge
Aggravated illegal importation of scheduled drugs in Maine
Aggravated illegal importation of scheduled drugs is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A. Its classification is not fixed: Maine assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A.
What is the penalty for aggravated illegal importation of scheduled drugs in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Illegal importation of cocaine (112 grams or more) — Person illegally imports 112 grams or more of cocaine.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(A)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (e.g. use of a firearm against an individual, §1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $50,000 (Illegal importation of cocaine (112 grams or more) — Person illegally imports 112 grams or more of cocaine.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(1)); organizations up to $100,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Illegal importation of methamphetamine or amphetamine (large quantity) — Person illegally imports 300 or more units or 100 grams or more of methamphetamine or amphetamine.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(A)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (e.g. use of a firearm against an individual, §1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $50,000 (Illegal importation of methamphetamine or amphetamine (large quantity) — Person illegally imports 300 or more units or 100 grams or more of methamphetamine or amphetamine.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(1)); organizations up to $100,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Illegal importation of heroin (large quantity) — Person illegally imports 6 grams or more, or 270 or more individual packages, of heroin.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(A)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (e.g. use of a firearm against an individual, §1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $50,000 (Illegal importation of heroin (large quantity) — Person illegally imports 6 grams or more, or 270 or more individual packages, of heroin.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(1)); organizations up to $100,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Illegal importation of other narcotics (large quantity) — Person illegally imports 300 or more units of a narcotic drug other than heroin, or large aggregate quantities of oxycodone or hydromorphone.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(A)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (e.g. use of a firearm against an individual, §1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $50,000 (Illegal importation of other narcotics (large quantity) — Person illegally imports 300 or more units of a narcotic drug other than heroin, or large aggregate quantities of oxycodone or hydromorphone.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(1)); organizations up to $100,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Illegal importation of MDMA or similar drug (large quantity) — Person illegally imports 300 or more units containing MDMA or other drugs listed in section 1102(1)(O).; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(A)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (e.g. use of a firearm against an individual, §1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $50,000 (Illegal importation of MDMA or similar drug (large quantity) — Person illegally imports 300 or more units containing MDMA or other drugs listed in section 1102(1)(O).; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(1)); organizations up to $100,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 30 years (Death caused by schedule W drug — Death is in fact caused by use of the schedule W drug that was illegally imported.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(A)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (e.g. use of a firearm against an individual, §1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $50,000 (Death caused by schedule W drug — Death is in fact caused by use of the schedule W drug that was illegally imported.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(1)); organizations up to $100,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is aggravated illegal importation of scheduled drugs classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illegal importation of cocaine (112 grams or more) | Class A Crime | Person illegally imports 112 grams or more of cocaine. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A(1)(C) |
| Illegal importation of methamphetamine or amphetamine (large quantity) | Class A Crime | Person illegally imports 300 or more units or 100 grams or more of methamphetamine or amphetamine. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A(1)(E) |
| Illegal importation of heroin (large quantity) | Class A Crime | Person illegally imports 6 grams or more, or 270 or more individual packages, of heroin. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A(1)(F) |
| Illegal importation of other narcotics (large quantity) | Class A Crime | Person illegally imports 300 or more units of a narcotic drug other than heroin, or large aggregate quantities of oxycodone or hydromorphone. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A(1)(G) |
| Illegal importation of MDMA or similar drug (large quantity) | Class A Crime | Person illegally imports 300 or more units containing MDMA or other drugs listed in section 1102(1)(O). | 17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A(1)(H) |
| Death caused by schedule W drug | Class A Crime | Death is in fact caused by use of the schedule W drug that was illegally imported. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A(1)(I) |
Common questions about aggravated illegal importation of scheduled drugs in Maine
What class of crime is aggravated illegal importation of scheduled drugs in Maine?
Aggravated illegal importation of scheduled drugs is a Class A Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A.
Illegal importation of cocaine (112 grams or more): Class A Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A(1)(C)) · Illegal importation of methamphetamine or amphetamine (large quantity): Class A Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A(1)(E)) · Illegal importation of heroin (large quantity): Class A Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A(1)(F)) · Illegal importation of other narcotics (large quantity): Class A Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A(1)(G)) · Illegal importation of MDMA or similar drug (large quantity): Class A Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A(1)(H)) · Death caused by schedule W drug: Class A Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A(1)(I))
What are the penalties for aggravated illegal importation of scheduled drugs in Maine?
Penalties for aggravated illegal importation of scheduled drugs in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class A Crime up to a Class A Crime — with the ranges set by 17-A M.R.S. § 1604; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Maine statute covers aggravated illegal importation of scheduled drugs?
Aggravated illegal importation of scheduled drugs is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 1118-A (Aggravated illegal importation of scheduled drugs).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.