Those who advertise powerful substances will be held accountable

Responsibility for distributing, advertising, and displaying powerful substances on the Internet has now been established. This is outlined in the amendments and additions made to several codes by the law signed by the President today, October 5.

Liability for the illegal distribution of narcotic drugs, their analogues, or psychotropic substances using telecommunication networks and the Internet has been strengthened. This includes measures addressing crimes involving minors.

Additionally, administrative and criminal liabilities are now established for the illegal receipt, storage, transportation, or sending of narcotic drugs, their analogues, psychotropic substances, strong, and toxic substances, even without the intention of transferring them.

According to the amendments to the Criminal Code, the illegal preparation, acquisition, storage, transportation, or sending of narcotic drugs, their analogues, or powerful substances not classified as psychotropic substances—when committed after an administrative penalty has been applied for similar actions—will result in one of the following penalties:

- A fine of up to 50 times the amount of the basic calculation;
- Compulsory community service of up to 360 hours;
- Correctional work for up to 3 years;
- Restriction of freedom for 1 to 3 years;
- Imprisonment for up to 3 years.

This law comes into effect from the date of its official announcement.