What Bangladesh’s law says about poppy seeds
While typically viewed as a spice, the legal status of poppy seeds (Posto Dana) hinges entirely on their viability.
Under the Narcotics Control Act, 2018, poppy plants and certain types of poppy seeds are classified as "A" category narcotics, which is the highest-risk category in the law.
The Act specifically names opium poppy plants, poppy fruits, and poppy seeds that are suitable for germination.
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In other words, if the seeds are capable of being planted to grow poppies, they fall under narcotic control.
The Act prohibits all involvement with narcotics and the plants used to produce them.
This includes cultivation, production, processing, transportation, import or export, storage, supply, sale, distribution, possession, and use.
The law also bans any attempts, financial investments, assistance, or false declarations related to these activities.
If someone tries to hide germination-capable poppy seeds under another product declaration, that act itself is considered a violation of the law.
Penalties depend on the amount of germination-capable poppy seeds found.
Possessing less than ten grams is punishable with imprisonment for one to five years along with a fine.
Possession of ten grams or more but less than fifty grams carries a sentence of five to ten years, also with a fine.
For fifty grams or more, the minimum punishment is ten years imprisonment, in addition to a fine.
The law indicates that the upper limit for imprisonment in this category may extend further depending on the case.
The key distinction in the law is whether the seeds are viable for cultivation.
Poppy seeds that cannot grow are not treated the same way.
However, if the seeds are capable of sprouting and being used to produce opium poppy, they are treated as narcotics and handled with the strict penalties outlined above.
