# Criminal Law (GCR)

## Title 5. Controlled Dangerous Substances, Prescriptions, and Other Substances

### Subtitle 6. Crimes Involving Controlled Dangerous Substances and Paraphernalia

#### Section 5-613

(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 Sec. 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 Sec. 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 Sec. 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 Sec. 5-905 of this title; or

  (2) preclude or limit a prosecution for any other crime.

---

Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)