BATON ROUGE, LA – Senate Majority Leader Sharon Hewitt has introduced SB 49, known as the “Clandestine Labs” bill. Hewitt’s bill, which was heard by the Senate Judiciary C Committee Tuesday, sets higher penalties for those convicted of creating or operating a clandestine lab for the unlawful manufacturing of fentanyl, carfentanil, or a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, carfentanil, or its analogues.

“These criminals are manufacturing this poison in homemade labs, killing our kids and putting our law enforcement and first responders at risk.” Hewitt said. “This legislation makes it clear that if you engage in the manufacturing of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl or carfentanil, we are going to lock you up and throw away the key.”

Increased penalties for those convicted will increase from five to fifteen years in prison with up to a $25,000 fine to the following:  

1. First-time offenders will face imprisonment at hard labor for 10 years to 40 years, of which at least 10 years will be without the possibility of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. Additionally, the offender may be fined up to $50,000. 
2. Second-time offenders will face imprisonment at hard labor for 30 years to 40 years, of which at least 10 years will be without the possibility of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. Additionally, the offender may be fined up to $500,000. 
3. Third-time offenders will be imprisoned for life, or 99 years, to be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence, and may be fined up to $500,000.