President Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the amendment to the Drugs Acts to impose the death penalty on drug traffickers.

The bill was approved by the People's Majlis with 65 votes more than a year after it was proposed by the government.

Gan MP Yoosuf Nasheed proposed the bill on behalf of the government. It was reviewed by the Judiciary Committee.

Previously, the maximum penalty for drug traffickers was life imprisonment (25 years in jail). With the amendment, they can be sentenced to death in three cases if the Supreme Court bench unanimously issues a verdict.

Circumstances in which the death penalty is imposed

• Trafficking in cannabis in excess of 350 grams
• Trafficking in more than 250 grams of diamorphine
• Trafficking in more than 100 grams of a Schedule 1 drug

There are 139 drugs listed under Schedule 1. The bill states that traffickers caught with any of these drugs exceeding 100 grams will be sentenced to death if convicted.

With the amendment, drug traffickers facing life imprisonment will not be eligible for parole. It also states that a plea agreement cannot be made with the Prosecutor General's (PG) Office.

The law gives the PG Office power to advise and withdraw cases against first-time drug users.