Russia Plans Criminal Penalties for Online Drug Promotion

In the near future, Russia may introduce criminal liability for promoting drugs on the internet. This was announced by Kirill Smurov, First Deputy Head of the Main Directorate for Drug Control (GUNK) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as reported by TASS.

According to Smurov, preparatory work is currently being completed on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Smurov expressed hope that establishing criminal liability will become a serious measure to counter the spread of illegal substances.

The list of banned substances is constantly being updated—over the past five years alone, 17 government decrees have been issued to amend the list of narcotics prohibited in Russia. Currently, authorities control the circulation of more than one thousand psychoactive substances and plants. Soon, another 40 items will be added to this list.