Is Heroin legal in Algeria?

Legal status

Controlled under Law No. 04-18 of 25 December 2004 (as amended by Law No. 23-05 of 7 May 2023) — trafficking (production/manufacture/sale/transport with intent) 10–20 years + a DZD 5,000,000–50,000,000 fine, rising to 20–30 years for a public official/health professional or aggravated circumstances; personal-use possession lesser imprisonment and/or a fine; the maximum penalty for drug offences is imprisonment, and the separate provisions for the gravest non-drug crimes do not extend to drug offences; the maximum penalty is imprisonment

Consequences if caught

Heroin is controlled in Algeria under Law No. 04-18 of 25 December 2004 (as amended by Law No. 23-05 of 7 May 2023). In Algeria, drugs fall under Law No. 04-18 of 25 December 2004 on the prevention and suppression of the illicit use and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, as amended by Law No. 23-05 of 7 May 2023. Trafficking — production, manufacture, sale or transport with intent — carries imprisonment of 10–20 years plus a fine of DZD 5,000,000–50,000,000, rising to 20–30 years where committed by a public official or a health professional or in aggravated circumstances; personal-use possession carries lesser imprisonment and/or a fine. The maximum penalty for drug offences is imprisonment; the separate provisions for the gravest non-drug crimes do not extend to drug offences.

If prescribed or medical

Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form.

Documentation

In Algeria, drugs fall under Law No. 04-18 of 25 December 2004 on the prevention and suppression of the illicit use and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, as amended by Law No. 23-05 of 7 May 2023. Trafficking — production, manufacture, sale or transport with intent — carries imprisonment of 10–20 years plus a fine of DZD 5,000,000–50,000,000, rising to 20–30 years where committed by a public official or a health professional or in aggravated circumstances; personal-use possession carries lesser imprisonment and/or a fine. The maximum penalty for drug offences is imprisonment; the separate provisions for the gravest non-drug crimes do not extend to drug offences. (Reported/unverified: human-rights reporting in 2025 referred to legislative efforts to expand the death penalty to certain drug offences; this is a reported proposal and is NOT reflected as enacted in the statute cited here — confirm against the current law.) Cannabis is controlled under the same statute, 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 Algeria’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.