ZCZC
BSS-29
DRUG-DRAFT LAW
Govt finalizes draft of new Narcotics Control Act: home minister
DHAKA, July 3, 2018 (BSS) – The government has finalized the draft of new Narcotics Control Act keeping death penalty as the maximum punishment to curb drug abuse and smuggling.
“In the draft law, we have proposed death penalty as the maximum punishment. We have also included ‘yaba’ and ‘shisha’ as drugs in the new draft law,” Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told BSS.
He said the draft law proposes making separate courts or tribunals for the trial of drug related crimes,
The home minister said the government can set up separate courts at metropolitan and district levels to complete trials as soon as possible.
Kamal said the total capacity of the country’s jails is only 35,000. But, there are around 80,000 inmates in the jails while 40 percent of them are drug related criminals, he added.
He said, “We’re not considering who are ‘godfathers’ or who are ‘dons’. Actions are being taken against those involved in drug trading.”
Kamal said the drive against drug would be continued and the security in border areas has been increased. Those who are involved with the dealings of drugs will not be spared, he added.
“We have already set up sensors on Bangladesh-Myanmar borders to prevent drug smuggling,” he added.
BSS/Spl/FH/PSB/GA/1742 HRS