People who interfere with seized drugs, controlled chemicals, equipment or documents could face fines of up to $10 million or 10 years’ imprisonment under the Counter Narcotics Bill 2026.
The Bill makes it an offence to unlawfully use, take or dispose of seized illicit drugs, controlled chemicals or equipment, or to interfere with them or any samples.
It also prohibits the removal, alteration, destruction or other interference with seized documents.
A person who interferes with or falsifies the results of an analysis with the intention of interfering with the proper course of justice would also commit an offence.
The proposed penalty is a fine of up to $10 million, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.
The Bill also targets the use of premises and vehicles for drug offences.
Under clause 94, a person would commit an offence if they knowingly allow, without lawful authority, any premises, vessel, aircraft, hovercraft, motor vehicle or other mode of transport to be used to commit an offence under the legislation.
The maximum penalty would depend on the drug classification.
For Class A drugs, the penalty would be a fine of up to $15 million or 15 years’ imprisonment, or both.
For Class B drugs, it would be up to $10 million or 10 years’ imprisonment, or both.
For Class C drugs, the maximum would be $5 million or five years’ imprisonment, or both.
