Drug Control and Anti-Human Trafficking Group (DCAT Group)

The head of the group is Senior Detective Nikita Alekseevich Borodulin of the DCAT Group of the Criminal Police Department of the Postavy District Executive Committee, office phone 55-9-10, mobile phone +375298884198. If you have information about individuals involved in the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their precursors and analogues; about individuals committing crimes against sexual inviolability or sexual freedom (rape, sexual assault, etc.); about individuals committing crimes against personal freedom, honor, and dignity (human trafficking, etc.), or any other operationally significant information, please immediately report it to the DCAT Group or by calling 102.

The most typical crimes stipulated by the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus that fall within the competence of the DCAT Group are:

Article 328. Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, Their Precursors and Analogues

1. Illegal manufacture, processing, acquisition, storage, transportation, or shipment of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or their precursors or analogues without intent to sell —

shall be punished by restriction of liberty for up to five years or deprivation of liberty for a term of two to five years.

2. Illegal manufacture, processing, acquisition, storage, transportation, or shipment, or illegal sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or their precursors or analogues with intent to sell —

shall be punished by deprivation of liberty for a term of three to eight years with or without a fine.

3. Actions provided for in Part 2 of this Article, committed by a group of persons, or by an official using their official powers, or by a person who previously committed crimes provided for in this Article, Articles 327, 329 or 331 of this Code, or in relation to narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues in a large amount, or in relation to especially dangerous narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or the sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their precursors or analogues on the territory of an educational institution, healthcare organization, military unit, correctional institution, detention facility, places of detention, medical-labor dispensary, at a mass event, or to a knowingly minor —

shall be punished by deprivation of liberty for a term of six to fifteen years with or without a fine.

4. Actions provided for in Parts 2 or 3 of this Article, committed

organized group, or involving the manufacture or processing of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or their precursors or analogues using laboratory glassware or laboratory equipment intended for chemical synthesis, -

shall be punishable by imprisonment for a term of ten to twenty years with or without a fine.

5. Acts provided for in parts 2 - 4 of this Article, which negligently caused the death of a person as a result of their consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues, -

shall be punishable by imprisonment for a term of twelve to twenty-five years with or without a fine.

Note. A person who voluntarily surrenders narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their precursors or analogues and actively assists in identifying or suppressing a crime related to the illicit trafficking of these means, substances, exposing the perpetrators, detecting property obtained through criminal means, shall be exempt from criminal liability for such crime.

Article 328-1. Illicit movement across the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union and (or) the State Border of the Republic of Belarus of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their precursors or analogues

1. Illicit movement across the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union and (or) the State Border of the Republic of Belarus of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their precursors or analogues -

shall be punishable by restriction of liberty for a term of up to four years or imprisonment for a term of three to seven years with or without a fine.

2. An act provided for in part 1 of this Article, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, or repeatedly, or by a person who previously committed crimes provided for in Articles 228 and 333-1 of this Code, or by an official using their official powers, or with the use of violence against a person conducting customs or border control, or in respect of particularly dangerous narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or in respect of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues in a large amount, -

shall be punishable by restriction of liberty for a term of up to five years or imprisonment for a term of five to ten years with or without a fine.

3. An act provided for in parts 1 or 2 of this Article, committed by an organized group, -

shall be punishable by imprisonment for a term of seven to twelve years with or without a fine.

Article 328-2. Consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues in a public place or appearance in a public place or being at work in a state caused by the consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues, toxic or other intoxicating substances

Consumption without a specialist doctor's prescription of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances in a public place or consumption of their analogues in a public place, as well as appearance in a public place in a state caused by the consumption without a specialist doctor's prescription of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or consumption of their analogues, toxic or other intoxicating substances, insulting human dignity and public morality, or being at the workplace during working hours in a state caused by the consumption without a specialist doctor's prescription of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or consumption of their analogues, toxic or other intoxicating substances, committed within a year after the imposition of an administrative penalty for such violations, -

shall be punished by a fine, or arrest, or restriction of liberty for up to two years.

Article 329. Illegal sowing and (or) cultivation of plants or fungi containing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances

1. Illegal sowing and (or) cultivation of plants or fungi containing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, for the purpose of their sale or manufacture or other acquisition of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances -

shall be punished by a fine, or arrest, or restriction of liberty for up to three years, or imprisonment for the same term.

2. The same acts, committed repeatedly, or by a group of persons, or by a person who previously committed crimes provided for by Articles 327, 328, 331 and 332 of this Code, -

shall be punished by restriction of liberty for up to five years or imprisonment for three to seven years.

3. Acts provided for by parts 1 or 2 of this article, committed by an organized group, -

shall be punished by imprisonment for five to fifteen years with or without a fine.

Article 332. Provision of premises, organization or maintenance of dens for the manufacture, processing and (or) consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues or other intoxicating substances

1. Provision of premises for the manufacture, processing and (or) consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues or other intoxicating substances -

shall be punished by arrest, or restriction of liberty for up to five years, or imprisonment for two to five years.

Organization or maintenance of dens for the manufacture, processing and (or) consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues or other intoxicating substances -

shall be punished by restriction of liberty for a term of two to five years with a fine or deprivation of liberty for a term of three to seven years with a fine.

Article 166. Rape

1. Sexual intercourse against the will of the victim with the use of violence or with the threat of its use against a woman or her relatives, or with the use of the helpless state of the victim (rape) -

shall be punished by restriction of liberty for a term of up to four years or deprivation of liberty for a term of three to seven years.

2. Rape committed repeatedly, or by a group of persons, or by a person who previously committed acts provided for by Article 167 of this Code, or rape of a knowingly minor -

shall be punished by deprivation of liberty for a term of five to thirteen years.

3. Rape of a knowingly young child or rape that negligently caused the death of the victim, or caused grievous bodily harm, or HIV infection, or other grave consequences -

shall be punished by deprivation of liberty for a term of eight to fifteen years.

Article 167. Violent acts of a sexual nature

1. Sodomy, lesbianism or other acts of a sexual nature committed against the will of the victim with the use of violence or with the threat of its use, or with the use of the helpless state of the victim -

shall be punished by restriction of liberty for a term of up to four years or deprivation of liberty for a term of three to seven years.

2. The same acts committed repeatedly, or by a person who previously committed rape, or by a group of persons, or against a knowingly minor -

shall be punished by deprivation of liberty for a term of five to thirteen years.

3. Acts provided for by parts 1 or 2 of this article, committed against a knowingly young child, or negligently caused the death of the victim, or caused grievous bodily harm, or HIV infection, or other grave consequences -

shall be punished by deprivation of liberty for a term of eight to fifteen years.

Article 168. Sexual intercourse and other acts of a sexual nature with a person under the age of sixteen

1. Sexual intercourse, sodomy, lesbianism or other acts of a sexual nature committed by a person who has reached the age of eighteen, with a person knowingly under the age of sixteen, in the absence of signs of crimes provided for by Articles 166 and 167 of this Code -

shall be punished by restriction of liberty for a term of up to four years or deprivation of liberty for the same term with a fine.

2. The same acts committed by a person who previously committed crimes,

provided for by Articles 166 or 167 of this Code, or in relation to two or more persons, or by a person entrusted with the duties of upbringing, maintenance, ensuring the safety of life and health of a minor, or by a group of persons, -

shall be punishable by imprisonment for a term of three to ten years.

Note. A person who has committed acts provided for by Part 1 of this Article shall be released from criminal liability if it is established that this person and the crime committed by him have ceased to be socially dangerous due to marriage with the victim.

Article 169. Lewd acts

1. Lewd acts committed by a person who has reached the age of eighteen, against a person known to be under the age of sixteen, in the absence of signs of crimes provided for by Articles 166, 167 and 168 of this Code, -

shall be punishable by arrest or imprisonment for a term of one to three years.

2. The same acts committed with the use of violence or with the threat of its use, or against a person known to be a minor, or by parents, teachers or other persons entrusted with the duties of raising a minor, or by a person who has previously committed crimes provided for by this Article or Articles 166 - 168 of this Code, -

shall be punishable by imprisonment for a term of three to six years.

Article 170. Coercion to acts of a sexual nature

1. Coercion of a person to sexual intercourse, sodomy, lesbianism or other acts of a sexual nature by means of blackmail, threat of destruction, damage or seizure of property, or by using the official, material or other dependence of the victim -

shall be punishable by restriction of liberty for a term of up to three years or imprisonment for the same term with a fine and with or without deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities.

2. The same act committed against a person known to be a minor, -

shall be punishable by imprisonment for a term of three to six years.

Article 171. Organization and (or) use of prostitution or creation of conditions for prostitution

Organization and (or) use of prostitution by another person or the provision for mercenary purposes of premises (place) by a person who knowingly knew that these premises (place) would be used for prostitution, or the organization and (or) maintenance of a brothel for prostitution in the absence of signs of a more serious crime -

shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of three to five years with a fine.

2. The same acts, involving the removal of a person outside the state for prostitution, or committed by an official using his official powers, or by a person who previously committed crimes provided for in this article, Articles 171-1, 181 or 181-1 of this Code, or using a knowingly minor for prostitution, or committed by an organized group -

shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of five to ten years with a fine.

Note. The use of prostitution means the extraction by a person of material or other benefit from the voluntary provision by another person for remuneration of sexual services (sexual intercourse, sodomy, lesbianism and other acts of a sexual nature).

Article 171-1. Involvement in prostitution or coercion to continue prostitution

1. Involvement in prostitution or coercion to continue prostitution -

shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of one to three years with a fine.

2. The same acts, committed repeatedly, or with the use of violence or with the threat of its use, or by a person who previously committed crimes provided for in Articles 171, 181 or 181-1 of this Code, or by a person who has reached the age of eighteen, in relation to a knowingly minor -

shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of three to five years with a fine.

3. Acts provided for in parts 1 or 2 of this article, committed by a parent, pedagogical worker or other person entrusted with the duties of raising a minor, in relation to a knowingly minor or by an organized group -

shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of seven to ten years with a fine.

Article 181. Human Trafficking

1. Recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of a person for the purpose of exploitation,

committed by deception, or abuse of trust, or use of violence not dangerous to the life or health of the victim, or with the threat of such violence (human trafficking) -

shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of three to seven years with a fine.

2. The same acts, committed:

1) against two or more persons;

2) with the use of violence dangerous to the life or health of the victim, or with the threat of such violence;

3) excluded;

4) by a group of persons by prior conspiracy;

5) by a person using their official powers;

6) by a person who previously committed crimes provided for by this article, Articles 171, 171-1, 181-1, 187, parts 2 and 3 of Article 343-1 of this Code;

7) against a woman known by the perpetrator to be pregnant;

8) with the removal of a person outside the state;

9) against a person known to be a minor, regardless of the application of any of the means of influence specified in part 1 of this article, -

shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of seven to twelve years with a fine.

3. Acts provided for in parts 1 or 2 of this article, committed by an organized group, or against a person known to be a minor, or resulting in the death of the victim through negligence, or causing grievous bodily harm, or HIV infection, or other grave consequences, -

shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of twelve to fifteen years with a fine.

Note. Exploitation in this article, Articles 181-1, 182 and 187 of this Code means unlawful coercion of a person to work or provide services (including to

sexual acts, surrogacy, removal of human organs and (or) tissues) if, for reasons beyond their control, they cannot refuse to perform work (services), including slavery or practices similar to slavery.

Administrative offenses falling within the competence of the Department for Drug Control and Combating Human Trafficking include:

Article 17.1. Illegal sowing and (or) cultivation of plants or fungi containing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances

Illegal sowing and (or) cultivation of plants or fungi containing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, without the purpose of their sale or manufacture or other acquisition of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances –

Article 19.5. Engaging in prostitution

1. Engaging in prostitution –

shall entail a fine ranging from six to twenty basic units, or community service, or administrative arrest.

2. The same act, committed repeatedly within one year after the imposition of an administrative penalty for the same offense –

shall entail a fine ranging from twenty to thirty basic units, or community service, or administrative arrest.

Article 19.3. Consumption of alcoholic, low-alcohol beverages or beer, consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues in a public place, or appearance in a public place or at work while intoxicated

1. Consumption of alcoholic, low-alcohol beverages or beer in the street, stadium, square, park, public transport or other public places, except for places intended for the consumption of alcoholic, low-alcohol beverages or beer, or appearance in a public place in a state of alcoholic intoxication that offends human dignity and public morality –

shall entail a fine of up to eight basic units.

2. Actions provided for in Part 1 of this article, committed repeatedly within one year after the imposition of an administrative penalty for the same offenses –

shall entail a fine ranging from two to fifteen basic units, or community service, or administrative arrest.

3. Appearance in a public place in a state caused by the consumption of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a specialist doctor's prescription, or the consumption of their analogues, toxic or other intoxicating substances, which offends human dignity and public morality, as well as refusal to undergo a prescribed examination (testing) to determine the state caused by the consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues, toxic or other intoxicating substances –

shall entail a fine ranging from five to ten basic units.

4. Being at the workplace during working hours in a state caused by the consumption of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a specialist doctor's prescription, or the consumption of their analogues, toxic or other intoxicating substances, as well as refusal to undergo a prescribed examination

(examination) to determine the state caused by the consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues, toxic or other intoxicating substances, -

shall entail a fine ranging from eight to twelve basic units.

5. Consumption of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances in a public place without a specialist doctor's prescription, or consumption of their analogues in a public place, or refusal to undergo a prescribed check (examination) to determine the state caused by the consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues, toxic or other intoxicating substances, -

shall entail a fine ranging from ten to fifteen basic units.

Article 17.6. Illegal actions with non-smoking tobacco products intended for sucking and (or) chewing

1. Acquisition, storage of non-smoking tobacco products intended for sucking and (or) chewing, in an amount not exceeding fifty grams, -

shall entail a fine of up to two basic units.

2. Transportation, shipment, acquisition, storage of non-smoking tobacco products intended for sucking and (or) chewing, in an amount exceeding fifty grams, as well as the sale of such non-smoking tobacco products in the absence of signs of illegal entrepreneurial activity -

shall entail a fine ranging from ten to twenty basic units with confiscation of monetary proceeds obtained from the sale of the specified non-smoking tobacco products, tools and means of committing an administrative offense or without confiscation of such tools and means, or community service with confiscation of monetary proceeds obtained from the sale of the specified non-smoking tobacco products, tools and means of committing an administrative offense or without confiscation of such tools and means, or administrative arrest with confiscation of monetary proceeds obtained from the sale of the specified non-smoking tobacco products, tools and means of committing an administrative offense or without confiscation of such tools and means.

3. Manufacturing of non-smoking tobacco products intended for sucking and (or) chewing, in an amount exceeding fifty grams, in the absence of signs of illegal entrepreneurial activity -

shall entail a fine ranging from twenty to thirty basic units with confiscation of tools and means of committing an administrative offense or without confiscation, or community service with confiscation of tools and means of committing an administrative offense or without confiscation, or administrative arrest with confiscation of tools and means of committing an administrative offense or without confiscation.

Note. For the purposes of this article, non-smoking tobacco products intended for sucking and (or) chewing refer to products (snus, naswar, and others) made from tobacco (purified tobacco dust) and an alkaline component (chalk, lime, or other alkaline components) with or without the addition of other ingredients.