Kerala asks Centre to make drug smuggling non-bailable offence, regardless of quantity

Kerala wants an amendment in law to remand drug smugglers regardless of the quantity of drugs. The letter was sent by the Chief Secretary. Currently, bail can be granted even if one kilogram of cannabis is in possession. Station bail can be granted even if 100 grams of hashish oil and 0.5 grams of MDMA are in possession. The drug mafia abuses this loophole.

According to the central law, the amount of drugs that can be possessed is divided into small, medium and commercial categories. In a small case, if less than one kilogram of cannabis is in possession, bail can be granted. For this reason, the drug mafia sends carriers by giving 950 grams each.

In medium cases, if up to 20 kg is seized, the remand is for two months, and in the commercial category, if more than 20 kg is seized, the remand is for three months. These people get out on bail and continue their crimes. However, the police estimate that drug trafficking can be reduced if all the accused are remanded. There are 997 regular drug traffickers in the state.

Can get up to death penalty

If you possess drugs for selling, you can get up to the death penalty. The punishment depends on the quantity of drugs seized. You can also get 10 years in prison for cultivating cannabis. If you smuggle a small amount of cannabis, you can get one year in prison, and if you smuggle a large amount, you can get up to 20 years. Even if you use drugs, you can get one year in prison.

"Drug trafficking should be made a non-bailable offence regardless of the quantity. The quantity is not relevant, as it is a prohibited drug."

- Manoj Abraham, ADGP, Law and Order

Bailable quantities

Amphetamine........................................2 grams

Cocaine............................2 grams

Diazepam................................20 grams

Heroin..............................5 grams

Methamphetamine................................2 grams

Morphine.................................5 grams

Poppy straw.................................1 kilo