BANGLADESH: DEATH PENALTY FOR CARRYING YABA, HEROIN

October 25, 2018:

The Narcotics Control Bill 2018 was placed in parliament last night, with provision for death sentence or life-term imprisonment for carrying, producing, trading and using more than five grammes of yaba, and more than 25 grammes of heroin and cocaine, The Daily Star reported on 23 October 2018.
Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan placed the bill, which was sent to the respective parliamentary standing committee for further examination. The committee was asked to submit its report within two days.
In the existing law, Narcotics Control Act 1990, there is no provision for death sentence or life imprisonment for offences related to heroin and cocaine. The maximum punishment is 15 years.
On October 8, the cabinet approved draft of the act to update the existing one in line with relevant UN conventions, of which Bangladesh is a signatory.