Parliament Passes Law Allowing Death Penalty for Cyber-Based Drug Crimes

Bangladesh's Parliament has passed the Narcotics Control (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing the death penalty as the maximum punishment for drug trafficking and related offences committed through cyberspace and digital platforms. The amended law formally recognises technology-enabled narcotics offences as punishable crimes.

Monday, 13 July

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed placed the bill before Parliament. It was passed by voice vote after public opinion review, scrutiny by the parliamentary standing committee and disposal of proposed amendments. The final version incorporates recommendations from the committee to address technology-driven narcotics offences.

Under the new law, anyone who directly or indirectly uses cyberspace, digital devices, websites, social media, mobile applications, online platforms, electronic communication systems or any other digital medium to buy, sell, supply, offer, advertise, facilitate or otherwise engage in illegal activities involving narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances will be considered to have committed a criminal offence.

The law also criminalises the use or attempted use of digital payment systems, electronic wallets, virtual assets or cryptocurrencies in connection with illegal narcotics activities.

It further states that prosecutors will not be required to recover narcotic substances from an accused person in order to prosecute offences committed through digital platforms. Depending on the offence, courts may impose any term of imprisonment up to the death penalty, along with a fine of up to Tk 2 million.

If an offence is committed as part of an international or organised criminal network, offenders may face any term of imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 5 million, or both.

The amended law authorises the relevant court or, where applicable, the Narcotics Crime Suppression Tribunal to order the seizure, removal, confiscation or forfeiture to the state of digital resources, digital devices, digital accounts, digital payment systems, electronic wallets, virtual assets and cryptocurrencies linked to such offences.

The amendment also restores provisions for establishing dedicated Narcotics Crime Suppression Tribunals in drug-prone areas while retaining the jurisdiction of ordinary courts. In addition, the Department of Narcotics Control has been empowered to carry firearms and establish canine units to combat technology-enabled narcotics offences.

During the parliamentary discussion, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said that no individual involved in drug trafficking would be spared and that administrative action was also being taken against those found involved.
//DBTech/DPO/SI//