Is Cocaine legal in Papua New Guinea?

Legal status

Controlled under the Controlled Substances Act 2021 (which replaced the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952) — the 2021 Act substantially increased penalties for possession, dealing and trafficking (specific terms and section numbers not pinned in this cell; confirm against the current statute); the maximum penalty for drug offences is imprisonment

Consequences if caught

Cocaine is controlled in Papua New Guinea under the Controlled Substances Act 2021. In Papua New Guinea, drugs fall under the Controlled Substances Act 2021, which replaced the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (whose penalties had been capped at around two years). The 2021 Act substantially increased the penalties for possession, dealing and trafficking, modelled on the imprisonment-based regimes of comparable Pacific and Commonwealth jurisdictions; Papua New Guinea repealed the death penalty in 2022, so the ceiling for all offences, drug offences included, is imprisonment. The maximum penalty for drug offences is imprisonment. The precise penalty quantities and section numbers under the 2021 Act are not pinned in this cell and should be confirmed against the current statute.

If prescribed or medical

Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form.

Documentation

In Papua New Guinea, drugs fall under the Controlled Substances Act 2021, which replaced the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (whose penalties had been capped at around two years). The 2021 Act substantially increased the penalties for possession, dealing and trafficking, modelled on the imprisonment-based regimes of comparable Pacific and Commonwealth jurisdictions; Papua New Guinea repealed the death penalty in 2022, so the ceiling for all offences, drug offences included, is imprisonment. The maximum penalty for drug offences is imprisonment. The precise penalty quantities and section numbers under the 2021 Act are not pinned in this cell and should be confirmed against the current statute. Cannabis is controlled under the same Act, with no legal recreational or medical regime. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Papua New Guinea’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.