DHAKA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi parliament has passed a narcotics control bill that retains the death penalty for illegal drug trade conducted via cyberspace while introducing new measures to combat technology-driven offenses.
Bangladesh's Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed tabled the Narcotics Control (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the House on Monday, where it was approved by a voice vote.
The legislation maintains capital punishment as the maximum sentence for online drug trafficking and expands the legal framework to address emerging digital methods of narcotics distribution, according to the bill's text.
Amendments to the law criminalize the use of cyberspace, digital devices, social media, and other online platforms for any transaction involving illegal drugs or psychoactive substances.
The legislation also outlaws the use of digital payments, e-wallets, virtual assets, and cryptocurrency for such activity.
The law stipulates that the physical recovery of drugs from a suspect is not mandatory for securing a conviction.
Such offenses carry penalties ranging from imprisonment to the death penalty, as well as fines of up to 5 million taka (around 41,000 U.S. dollars).
The amendments empower the Department of Narcotics Control to form a canine unit and authorize its officers to carry firearms.
The amended law also paves the way for the establishment of special tribunals to handle drug crimes in high-risk areas in addition to the regular courts.
Responding to allegations that a section of law enforcers were involved in drug trafficking, Ahmed, during his speech in the parliament, said administrative action was being taken against those found guilty and that no one would be spared. ■