Illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances

The illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their precursors and analogues currently poses a significant threat to the social, political, demographic, economic, and internal security of any modern state.

In the Republic of Belarus, special attention is paid to countering illicit drug trafficking and preventing drug consumption by all interested state bodies and organizations.

Despite the measures taken, the problem of drug consumption and illicit drug trafficking remains relevant.

Criminal liability in the sphere of illicit drug trafficking is provided for by Articles 327-332 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.

For the illegal sale of drugs, provided for by Article 328 of the Criminal Code, liability arises from the age of 14 and allows for punishment in the form of imprisonment from two to 25 years with or without a fine. It should be noted that for minors who have committed a crime in the sphere of illicit drug trafficking, the maximum term of imprisonment cannot exceed 12 years.

In accordance with the current legislation, illegal drug trafficking is understood as any method of their gratuitous or paid transfer to other persons, including by sale, gift, exchange, debt repayment, lending, etc.

The legislation of the Republic of Belarus also provides for administrative liability for a number of offenses in the specified area, namely for the consumption of drugs in a public place without a doctor's prescription, as well as refusal to undergo examination (testing) in the prescribed manner to determine the state caused by their consumption, appearing in a public place in a state caused by the consumption of the specified substances, and others (Parts 3-5 of Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses).

In addition, in accordance with Article 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, illegal sowing and (or) cultivation of plants or fungi containing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, without the purpose of their sale or manufacture, or other obtaining of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, entail the imposition of a fine of up to twenty basic units.