- (a) In this section, “drug kingpin” means an organizer, supervisor, financier, or manager who acts as a coconspirator in a conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, dispense, transport in, or bring into the State a controlled dangerous substance.
(b)
(1)
- (i) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a drug kingpin who conspires to manufacture, distribute, dispense, transport in, or bring into the State a controlled dangerous substance in an amount listed in § 5-612 of this subtitle is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 20 years and not exceeding 40 years without the possibility of parole or a fine not exceeding $1,000,000 or both.
- (ii) A court may not suspend any part of the mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years.
- (iii) The person is not eligible for parole during the mandatory minimum sentence.
- (2) A drug kingpin who conspires to manufacture, distribute, dispense, transport in, or bring into the State cannabis in an amount listed in § 5-612(a)(1) of this subtitle is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $100,000 or both.
- (c) It is not a defense to a prosecution under this section that the controlled dangerous substance was brought into or transported in the State solely for ultimate distribution or dispensing in another jurisdiction.
- (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a conviction under this section does not merge with the conviction for any crime that is the object of the conspiracy.
- (e) The provisions of § 6-220 of the Criminal Procedure Article do not apply to a conviction under this section.
(f) This section does not:
- (1) prohibit a court from imposing an enhanced penalty under § 5-905 of this title; or
- (2) preclude or limit a prosecution for any other crime.
Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2025, c. 136, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.
Formerly Art. 27, § 286.