Parl't approves draft bill executing drug smugglers

CAIRO – 10 June 2019: The Parliament approved on Sunday a draft law submitted by the government to amend some provisions of the Anti-Narcotics Law, and toughen punishment for drug trafficking.

The law sentences to death those who "bring, manufacture or produce synthetic materials with an anesthetic or harmful effect on the mind, body, or the mental and neurological condition."

The bill has been approved with the aim of confronting the spread of all types of narcotics, particularly synthetic substances which seriously harm the society, specifically the youths.

It also aims at placing the synthetic substances on the drug list, as the current list contains only the names of traditional drugs. It does not cover the newly created materials despite being deadlier sometimes.



The Egyptian government approved the bill in January during a ministerial meeting headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli. The bill modifies some articles of Law no. 182 of 1960 on combating narcotic abuse and illegal drug trade.

Formerly, the law stipulated punishing drug essence importers and exporters by life imprisonment and a fine ranging from LE 3,000 to 10,000.

The new bill punishes possessors of such substances, with the aim of trade, by a rigorous life sentence and a fine ranging between LE 100,000 ($5,664) and LE 500,000 ($28,319).

Owners of places prepared for illicit drug consumption will also face rigorous imprisonment and a fine of at least LE 200,000 and not more than LE 300,000, according to the bill.

Owning drugs without a certain purpose is also punished by severe imprisonment and a fine that ranges from LE 50,000 to LE 200,000.

Concerning drug abuse, the bill stipulates sentencing illicit drug consumers to at least one year in prison and a fine that does not exceed LE 10,000 ($566) and is not less than LE 1,000 ($57).

The modified law was issued in 1960 during the term of former President Gamal Abdel Nasser.

The law names 45 substances that are considered by the Egyptian law to be prohibited narcotics, mainly raw opium, all salts of morphine, raw cocaine, and cannabis extracts including Hashish.