The PRESS Act (Preventing Rogue Equipment for Synthetic Substances Act) amends federal drug law to criminalize the manufacture and distribution of pill press machines and related equipment when intended for making illegal drugs that will be smuggled into the United States. The bill closes a gap in current law by specifically targeting manufacturers and distributors of these machines who knowingly or reasonably should know their equipment will be used to produce counterfeit pills containing controlled substances for illegal importation. Violations carry prison sentences ranging from 8 to 20 years depending on the offense type and quantity involved, with longer sentences of up to 15 years for larger operations involving more than 1,000 kilograms of chemicals or over 100 machines. The law applies to pill presses, encapsulation machines, punch dies, capsules, and related materials used in drug manufacturing. The United States Sentencing Commission is directed to update federal sentencing guidelines accordingly to implement the new penalties.
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