Fentanyl steps are moving forward at Roundhouse in Santa Fe and the United States Capitol in Washington-Los Alamos Daily Post

Reporter Charlotte Little

Candelaria
The new Mexican Santa Fe

The bills intensifying the penalties for Fentanyl trafficking moved forward today both in the round house and in the Capitol of the United States, dividing the Democrats between the defenders of difficult crimes and those who do not think that the stricter sentences relate to the root causes of the crisis.

In Santa Fe, he was 16, sponsored by State representative Charlotte Little, D-Albuquerque, accepted the House, Election and the Committee on India’s 6-3 votes. The Democrats of the Chamber, who voted against the bill, raised questions about the consequences and efficiency of the slap of more prison time of traffickers of Fentanyl.

People caught with 100 to 500 pills of fentanyl, or 10 to 50 grams of fentanyl powder, can face an additional three years in prison under Little’s bill. Caught with 500 or more pills – or 50 grams or more, which is slightly less than two ounces – may encounter an additional five years as those who could be controlled, directed or hired to traffle fentanyl S

The bill is not intended to target addicts or lower-level players, but serious traffickers, lawyer Mark Baker told lawmakers. He added that sentence improvements are not mandates – more recently, they are opportunities for judges to look at that they are helping to illustrate the problem of fentanyl.

According to an analysis by the New Mexico Sentence Commission, Fentanyl was involved in about 18% of drug trafficking, leading to prison in fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

“Given the severity of Fentanyl’s influx in New Mexico, this will emphasize the need for courts to take seriously,” he said.

However, some legislators have expressed concerns about the concept of increasing prison deprivation, arguing that more stringent penalties do not necessarily become a reduction in the flow of drugs.

“Manufacturers are not necessarily driven by potential sanctions, they are guided by profit,” says reporter Genel Annonu, D-Albuquerque. “At the federal level, we have increased the minimum sentences for specific fees related to fentanyl in 2018, but we have not seen a reduction in use, which is the ultimate goal.”

The first HB 16 test came as a constant bill to make fantanyl substances, drugs supported by Senator Martin Heinrich, DN.M. Clear the House of US Representatives.

Bill Mina House 312-108 ThursdayWith all, besides one of the 215 Republicans, the Democrats, divided, as 98 in favor and 107 vs. 107 voted. The New Mexico delegation was divided, with the reputation of Gabe Vasquez in favor of the reputation of Melanie Stansbury against; Reporter Teresa Leger Fernandez does not vote.

Heinrich presented a version of the Senate in late January with Republicans Chuck Grasli of Iowa and Bill Cassidi of Louisiana.

Fentany -related substances are currently considered drugs with list I of a series of drug administration order for 2018. However, this designation is Make an Expire in March; Heinrich’s bill will codes the appointment of list I.

This bill, called the Law on All Deadly Traffic of Fentanyl, will permanently impose penalties for fentanyl trafficking on the basis of the amount by which a person was found, according to a news message.

For 10 grams or more, the criminal will first face a minimum of five years in prison. These sentences would increase on the basis of the amount that the offender caught and their number of crimes ending with a discretionary maximum sentence for life in prison for 100 grams of fentanyl or more.

“I am pleased that my fentanyl law is a step closer to becoming a law,” Heinrich says in the message. “I urge my Senate colleagues to quickly bring the floor legislation to pass. It is necessary to urgently help our law enforcement officer to abandon illegal traffic, extract a deadly fentanyl from our communities and save lives.“

Esteban Candelaria is a member of the corpus with a report on America, a national service program that puts journalists in local news halls. It covers the well -being of children and the state department for children, young people and families. Learn more about the report on America of Reportforamerica.orgS