Supreme Court Issues Death Penalty Guidelines for Drug-related Cases

最高法院统一毒品犯罪死刑标准 5种情形可判处死刑立即执行

Xinhua News, 2009-06-26

In preparation for International Anti-Drug Day, the Supreme People's Court issued new capital punishments sentencing guidelines for drug-related cases. According to the new guidelines, five types of circumstances qualify for the death penalty with immediate execution (as opposed to a two year reprieve which often leads to a reduced sentence of life imprisonment). The circumstances include drug gang leaders who use armed protection and violently resist inspection and arrest or “participate in organized international drug trafficking activities.” Also included are repeat offenders who use or entice juveniles to smuggle, sell, transport or manufacture illegal drugs or sell drugs to juveniles in quantities exceeding the death penalty minimum standards (not given). State employees who use their official positions to facilitate drug crimes are subject to capital sentences as well.