Arizona has passed a new law aimed at cracking down on high-volume fentanyl trafficking across the state. Governor Katie Hobbs recently signed House Bill 2607 (HB2607) into law.

The new law, sponsored by State Representative Quang Nguyen, sets stricter prison sentences for individuals caught with 200 grams or more of fentanyl in a motor vehicle with the intent to sell. Under HB2607, first-time offenders will face a minimum sentence of five years, a presumptive sentence of ten years, and a maximum sentence of fifteen years in prison. Repeat offenders will have five additional years added to their sentence.

"Fentanyl is killing our kids and ripping apart families," said Representative Nguyen. "Anyone moving this amount of the deadly drug through our state is a trafficker, plain and simple — and they should be locked up for a long time."

The new law is part of the House Republican Majority Plan, which focuses on public safety and border security. Lawmakers hope that tougher penalties for traffickers will help reduce the amount of fentanyl in Arizona communities and keep dangerous individuals off the streets.