Maine criminal charge
Illegal importation of scheduled drugs in Maine
Illegal importation of scheduled drugs is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 1118. 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.
What is the penalty for illegal importation of scheduled drugs in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Illegal importation of schedule W drug — Applies when the drug imported is a schedule W drug.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(B)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (§1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $20,000 (Illegal importation of schedule W drug — Applies when the drug imported is a schedule W drug.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(2)); organizations up to $40,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Illegal importation of schedule X, Y or Z drug — Applies when the drug imported is a schedule X, Y or Z drug.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(C)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (§1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Illegal importation of schedule X, Y or Z drug — Applies when the drug imported is a schedule X, Y or Z drug.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(3)); organizations up to $20,000 (§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 illegal importation of scheduled drugs classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illegal importation of schedule W drug | Class B Crime | Applies when the drug imported is a schedule W drug. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1118(2)(A) |
| Illegal importation of schedule X, Y or Z drug | Class C Crime | Applies when the drug imported is a schedule X, Y or Z drug. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1118(2)(B) |
Common questions about illegal importation of scheduled drugs in Maine
What class of crime is illegal importation of scheduled drugs in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: illegal importation of scheduled drugs ranges from a Class C Crime to a Class B Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 1118.
Illegal importation of schedule W drug: Class B Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1118(2)(A)) · Illegal importation of schedule X, Y or Z drug: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1118(2)(B))
What are the penalties for illegal importation of scheduled drugs in Maine?
Penalties for illegal importation of scheduled drugs in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class C Crime up to a Class B 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 illegal importation of scheduled drugs?
Illegal importation of scheduled drugs is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 1118 (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.