Bangladesh’s parliament has passed the Narcotics Control (Amendment) Bill, 2026, retaining the death penalty for illegal drug trafficking conducted through cyberspace and other digital platforms.

The legislation, approved by a voice vote on Monday, introduces new measures aimed at tackling technology-driven drug-related offences and strengthening narcotics control efforts in the country.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister, Salahuddin Ahmed, presented the bill before parliament, where lawmakers endorsed provisions expanding the legal framework to address emerging digital methods of drug distribution.

The amended law retains capital punishment as the maximum penalty for online drug trafficking and related narcotics offences.

According to the bill, the use of cyberspace, digital devices, social media platforms and other online channels for transactions involving illegal drugs or psychoactive substances is now a criminal offence.

The legislation also prohibited the use of digital payment systems, e-wallets, virtual assets and cryptocurrencies for drug-related activities.

Under the new provisions, prosecutors will no longer be required to physically recover drugs from suspects before securing convictions in certain narcotics-related cases.

The law prescribes penalties ranging from imprisonment to the death sentence, alongside fines of up to five million taka (about $41,000).

The amendments further empower the Department of Narcotics Control to establish a canine unit and authorise its officers to carry firearms while carrying out official duties.

The law also provides for the creation of special tribunals to handle drug-related cases in high-risk areas, in addition to existing court structures.

Speaking during the parliamentary debate, Mr Ahmed said administrative action was being taken against officers found guilty of misconduct.

He emphasised that no individual found culpable in drug-related offences or official wrongdoing would be spared under the law.

(Xinhua/NAN)