A new bill has been signed into South Carolina law to combat the growing fentanyl issue around the state. Governor McMaster held a ceremonial signing Tuesday in Columbia.
The new bill imposes increased penalties and establishes minimum sentences for fentanyl related charges. Possession of less than 4 grams of the substance will now be a felony that carries a maximum 5 year sentence for the 1st offense and a 10 year max on the second offense.
Trafficking 4 to 14 grams or half an ounce will be a minimum sentence of 7 years and a possible max of 25 years for the 1st offense. A 2nd offense is a mandatory 25 years in prison.
Trafficking half an ounce to an ounce will be a mandatory quarter century behind bars for any offense. For anything more than 28 grams or 1 ounce on any offense, the sentence will be a mandatory minimum of 25 years and a possible max sentence of forty years.