Egypt’s Cabinet Ratifies Deterrent Anti-Drug Penalties

By: Norhan Mahmoud 

CAIRO, Jan. 31 (SEE)- Egypt’s cabinet approved a bill amending articles of 1960’s Law No. 182 on combating and regulating drug use and trade. . 

One distressing phenomenon is the consumption of “Vodoo” and “Estrox” drugs, casting a shadow over the whole society especially youth. Thus, imposing stiffen sanctions was crucial. 

As per an official statement by the cabinet, the recent draft stipulates that anyone who “imports or exports synthetic substances with an anesthetic or harmful effect on the mind, body, psychological and neurological well-being” shall be sentenced to death. 

Besides, anyone who attains such synthetics for trading will be punished with life-imprisonment and a fine not less than EGB 100k and not more than EGB 500k. 

Also, those who obtain drugs with consumption purposes are to be subject to intensive prisoning and a penalty not less than EGB 50k and not more than EGB 200k.

In the case of unintentionally possessing drugs, the person shall be disciplined with a mulct not less than EGB 50k and not more than EGB 100k as well as imprisonment. 

As for those who manage or gear drug-consumption places are to be aggravatingly prisoned and fined not less than EGB 200k and not more than EGB 300k. 

The amendment states that those who are captured in such places, consuming drugs intentionally, are to be prisoned for at least one year and a penalty not less than EGP 1,000 and not more than EGB 10k. 

Such provisions come within the framework of official incisive responses to the intrusive spread of drugs, especially those not included in international watch lists or tables attached to National Narcotics Law.