Summary
This paper describes the
different legal penalties applied to drug trafficking offences in EU Member States. The aim of this
study is to explore the extent to which there are differences between (and within) countries in drug
trafficking legislation and sentencing. Through this, the paper contributes to discussion on judicial
cooperation on this issue. It also aims to provide researchers working in the area with a European
overview that can contribute to comparative work on different national systems.
Contents
1. DRUG TRAFFICKING PENALTIES — AN INTRODUCTION. --
2. NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT. --
ESTABLISHED PENALTY LIMITS FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENCES. --
AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES. --
MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES. --
SENTENCING GUIDELINES. --
EARLY RELEASE LEGISLATION RELEVANT TO DRUG TRAFFICKING CASES. --
3. EXPECTED PRACTICE IN DRUG TRAFFICKING SCENARIOS. --
CASE SCENARIO APPROACH. --
CANNABIS. --
AMPHETAMINE. --
COCAINE. --
HEROIN. --
4. DISCUSSION. --
5. CONCLUSION.