The National Parliament of Bangladesh passed the Narcotics Control (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on Monday, July 13, introducing the death penalty as the maximum punishment for individuals involved in illegal drug trafficking using cyberspace and digital platforms.

The bill was placed in the House by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed.

Following stages of public scrutiny, review by the parliamentary standing committee, and the resolution of proposed amendments, the bill was passed via voice vote.

Key Provisions of the New Law
The amended legislation categorizes drug-related offenses committed through technology as serious crimes.

It explicitly states that individuals will be held liable if they use cyberspace, digital devices, websites, social media, mobile apps, online platforms, or electronic communication systems to engage in:

• Buying, selling, supplying, or offering narcotics or psychotropic substances.
• Advertising, facilitating, or communicating for illegal drug activities.
• Conducting illegal transactions through digital payment systems, e-wallets, virtual assets, or cryptocurrencies.

A significant aspect of the new law is that the physical recovery of narcotics from the accused will not be a mandatory prerequisite for prosecution in cases involving digital drug offenses.

Penalties and Sentencing
The severity of the punishment depends on the nature of the crime:

General Digital Offenses: Conviction can result in imprisonment for any term up to the death penalty, along with a fine of up to 2 million BDT.

Organized/International Crime: If the offense is proven to be part of an organized crime syndicate or international drug ring, the perpetrator faces imprisonment, a fine of up to 5 million BDT, or both.

The law grants courts and specialized Narcotics Offense Suppression Tribunals the authority to seize, remove, or confiscate digital resources, devices, accounts, virtual assets, and cryptocurrencies linked to these crimes.

Enhanced Enforcement Capabilities
The amendment restores the provision for establishing separate Narcotics Offense Suppression Tribunals in high-risk, drug-prone areas.

Furthermore, to combat tech-based narcotics crimes, the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has been empowered to carry firearms and maintain specialized "dog squads."

During the discussion on the bill, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed reaffirmed the government's zero-tolerance policy, stating that no one involved in the drug trade will be spared and that strict administrative actions are concurrently being taken against offenders.