Following the model of “Anastasia Law” (under which the persons who drive under the influence of alcohol, psychoactive substances or without a driver’s license and cause accidents resulting in deaths cannot benefit from the suspension of sentence execution), a new proposal was adopted by the Romanian Senate on November 20, 2023, called the “2nd of May Law,” aimed at combating drug trafficking. The project aims to amend two normative acts, namely Law no. 143/2000 on the prevention and combating of illicit drug trafficking and consumption and Law no. 194/2011 on combating operations with products susceptible to having psychoactive effects, other than those provided by the current normative acts.
According to the most significant amendment, drug traffickers will no longer be able to benefit from sentence suspension. Thus, if the defendants are found guilty, they will serve the sentence determined by the court. Additionally, the project also provides for an increase in the limits of penalties applicable to certain acts related to operations with products susceptible to having psychoactive effects.
As for the aforementioned “Anastasia Law,” according to the information from the public domain, a modification is reportedly being prepared and adopted. Alongside the main penalty applied, drivers convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol, psychoactive substances or without a license, causing accidents resulting in the death of one or more persons, will be prohibited from driving for a period of at least 10 years.
