Alabama Drug Trafficking Laws

By Samuel Strom, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq. | Last reviewed October 23, 2024

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Drug trafficking refers to the sale, delivery, or distribution of drugs. Every state criminalizes drug trafficking, although the laws vary from state to state. In Alabama, most drug trafficking crimes are felonies. 

The applicable criminal penalty for a drug trafficking conviction depends on the type of drug and the quantity of drugs involved. The most severe offense is a mandatory life sentence in prison.

This article summarizes Alabama's drug trafficking laws and criminal penalties. For more information, visit the Related Resources section below. If you face drug trafficking charges, contact an Alabama criminal defense attorney.

Drug Trafficking Laws: Overview

The table below lists Alabama's laws regarding drug trafficking offenses. For more information about drug trafficking cases and other drug offenses, visit the links in the Related Resources section below.

Code Section

Alabama Code § 13A-12-231

Cannabis (Marijuana)

Any person who knowingly sells, delivers, or brings the following amounts of cannabis into Alabama is guilty of a Class A felony and is subject to the following penalties:

  • More than one kilogram (or 2.2 pounds) but less than 100 pounds of marijuana: Mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of three calendar years and a $25,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(1)(a))
  • 100 or more pounds but less than 500 pounds: Mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a $50,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(1)(b))
  • 500 or more pounds but less than 1,000 pounds: Mandatory prison sentence of 15 years and a $200,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(1)(c))
  • 1000 or more pounds: Mandatory life sentence (§ 13A-12-231(1)(d))

Cocaine

Any person who knowingly sells, delivers, or brings the following amounts of cocaine (or a mixture containing cocaine) into Alabama is guilty of a Class A felony and faces the following penalties:

  • 28 or more grams of cocaine but less than 500 grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of three years and a $50,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(2)(a))
  • 500 or more grams but less than 1,000 grams (one kilogram): Mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $100,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(2)(b))
  • 1,000 or more grams (one kilogram) but less than 10,000 grams (10 kilograms): Mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a $250,000 fine. (§ 13A-12-231(2)(c))
  • 10 kilograms or more: Mandatory life sentence. (§ 13A-12-231(2)(d))

Opium and Heroin

Any person (except those authorized by law) who knowingly sells, delivers, or brings the following amounts of morphine, opium, heroin, a mixture containing fentanyl, or another synthetic controlled substance, or any of their salts or isomers, is guilty of a Class A felony and faces the following penalties:

  • Four grams or more but less than 14 grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of three years and a $50,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(3)(a))
  • 14 or more grams but less than 28 grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $100,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(3)(b))
  • 28 or more grams but less than 56 grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a $500,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(3)(c))
  • 56 or more grams: Mandatory life sentence (§ 13A-12-231(3)(d))

Methaqualone (Quaaludes)

Any person who knowingly sells, delivers, or brings the following amounts of methaqualone (e.g., Quaaludes, Sopor) is guilty of a Class A felony and faces the following penalties:

  • 1,000 pills or capsules but less than 5,000: Mandatory minimum sentence of three years and a $50,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(4)(a))
  • 5,000 or more capsules but less than 25,000: Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $100,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(4)(b))
  • 25,000 pills or more but less than 100,000 pills or capsules: Mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a $500,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(4)(c))
  • 100,000 or more capsules: Mandatory life sentence (§ 13A-12-231(4)(d))

Hydromorphone (Opioid)

Any person who sells, delivers, or brings the following amounts of hydromorphone into Alabama is guilty of a Class A felony and faces the following penalties:

  • 500 pills or capsules but less than 1,000: Mandatory minimum sentence of three years and a $50,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(5)(a))
  • 1,000 or more pills or capsules, but less than 4,000: Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $100,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(5)(b))
  • 4,000 or more pills or capsules but less than 10,000: mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a $100,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(5)(c))
  • More than 10,000 pills or capsules: Mandatory life sentence (§ 13A-12-231(5)(d))

Phencyclidine (PCP)

Any person who knowingly sells, delivers, or brings the following amounts of PCP into Alabama is guilty of a Class A felony and faces the following penalties:

  • Four grams or more but less than 14 grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of three years and a $50,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(8)(a))
  • 14 or more grams but less than 28 grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $100,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(8)(b))
  • 28 or more grams but less than 56 grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a $250,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(8)(c))
  • 56 or more grams: Mandatory life sentence (§ 13A-12-231(8)(d))

LSD

Any person who knowingly sells, delivers, or brings the following amounts of LSD into the state of Alabama is guilty of a Class A felony and faces the following punishments:

  • Four or more grams but less than 14 grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of three years and a $50,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(9)(a))
  • 14 or more grams but less than 28 grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $100,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(9)(b))
  • 28 or more grams but less than 56 grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a $500,000 fine (§ 13A-12-231(9)(c))
  • 56 or more grams: Mandatory life sentence (§ 13A-12-231(9)(d))

Methamphetamine

Any person who knowingly sells, delivers, or brings the following amounts of methamphetamine into Alabama is guilty of a Class A felony and faces the following penalties:

  • 28 grams or more but less than 500 grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of three years and a $50,000 fine (§ 13A-12-23(11)(a))
  • 500 or more grams but less than 1,000 grams (one kilogram): Mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $100,000 fine (§ 13A-12-23(11)(b))
  • 1,000 or more grams (one kilogram) but less than 10,000 grams (10 kilograms): Mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a $250,000 fine (§ 13A-12-23(11)(c))
  • 10,000 grams (10 kilograms) or more: Mandatory life sentence (§ 13A-12-23(11)(d))

Fentanyl

Any person who knowingly sells, delivers, or brings fentanyl or a controlled substance fentanyl analogue as a single component into Alabama is guilty of a Class A felony and faces the following penalties:

  • One gram or more but less than two grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of three years and a $50,000 fine (§ 13A-12-23(13)(a)(1))
  • Two or more grams but less than four grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $100,000 fine (§ 13A-12-23(13)(a)(2))
  • Four or more grams but less than eight grams: Mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a $500,000 fine (§ 13A-12-23(13)(a)(3))
  • Eight grams or more: mandatory life sentence and a $750,000 fine (§ 13A-12-23(13)(a)(4))

Other trafficking offenses

Alabama provides other penalties for trafficking the following controlled substances:

  • 3,4-methylenedioxy amphetamines (§ 13A-12-23(6))
  • 5-methoxy-3, 4-methylenedioxy amphetamines (§ 13A-12-23(7))
  • Amphetamines (§ 13A-12-23(10))
  • A synthetic controlled substance or a synthetic controlled substance analog (§ 13A-12-23(12))

Aggravating factors

Any person who possesses a firearm during the commission of a trafficking offense faces at least five years imprisonment and a $25,000 fine in addition to any other applicable punishment. (§ 13A-12-23(16))

Note: State laws are subject to change through new legislation, court decisions, and other means. Contact an Alabama criminal defense attorney to learn how these laws might impact your unique situation.

Alabama Drug Trafficking Laws: Related Resources

Browse the following links for more information about Alabama's drug laws:

Visit FindLaw's Drug Trafficking and Distribution article for more information about other states' drug trafficking laws.

Facing Drug Charges? Contact an Attorney

If law enforcement has charged you with a drug crime, contact a criminal defense attorney in Alabama. Whether you have a misdemeanor drug possession charge in Birmingham or a felony drug distribution charge in Montgomery, a criminal defense lawyer can help. They can provide specific legal advice and defense strategies in your case. Contact one today to get started.

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