Kazakhstan to harshen punishment for illegal narcotic drugs production

The lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament has approved today the amendments to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on combating illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, Kazinform News Agency reports.

The amendments were initiated by the Parliament members in line with the President's task to enhance criminal liability for the production of narcotic substances.

"The new provisions clearly distinguish the notions of "manufacturing" and "production" of narcotic drugs, where the latter has a serial character, which is specific to clandestine drug laboratories. Illegal drug production is equated to the most dangerous types of drug-related crimes, which entail up to life imprisonment," member of the Committee on Legislation and Judicial and Legal Reform Dmitry Koloda said.

From now on, illegal manufacturing, processing, and production of narcotic drugs for the purpose of selling  is regulated by new article 297-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where its production entalis imprisonment from 15 to 20 years or life imprisonment.