Can I go to prison if I am arrested for drug use? What is the penalty in Egyptian law?
Many people ask us: “penalty for drug use”, “what is the penalty for drug use in Egyptian law”, “I was arrested for possessing a drug for personal use”, and “is an addict imprisoned or treated”. To answer, we say: Egyptian law punishes possessing or holding a narcotic for personal use or consumption with aggravated imprisonment and a fine of EGP 10,000 to 50,000, but allows the court to order an addict into a treatment facility instead of serving the sentence. To understand your rights, whether you are a victim or an accused, stay with us and read these questions and answers.
What does drug use mean in the law?
Legally it means possessing or holding a narcotic listed in the schedules of the Anti-Narcotics Law No. 182 of 1960 with the intent to use or consume it personally, not to sell or trade it. It is governed by Article 37 of the Law, and the court assesses the intent to use from the circumstances of the case.
How is the offence committed?
The offence has three elements: possession or holding of a scheduled narcotic, knowledge that it is a narcotic, and the intent to use it personally. It is proved by the seizure, sealing and laboratory analysis, witness statements and the other evidence, and the court weighs that evidence. Possession means control over the substance even if it is not in the person's hand; holding means physical custody of it, even briefly.
What should I do to avoid getting involved in something like this?
- Do not carry or keep any bag, parcel or substance for someone else before you know what it contains.
- Do not agree to deliver anything when you do not know what is inside.
- Check what is inside any car, apartment or item that you borrow or receive from others.
- Stay away from places where narcotics are used; merely being present there knowingly may be a separate offence.
- Do not carry any controlled medicine without the original medical prescription.
- If you or a family member struggles with addiction, voluntary treatment at official specialised centres is the safest path.
What are my rights if I am accused of something like this?
- Do not sign any paper or record.
- Do not say a single word except in the presence of your lawyer.
This article is based on the laws currently in force, including the Code of Criminal Procedure currently in force; the new Law No. 174 of 2025 has been postponed until 1 October 2027.
What is the penalty for this offence?
| Situation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Possession or holding for personal use (Art. 37) | Aggravated imprisonment of 3 to 15 years (formerly hard labor for a fixed term) and a fine of EGP 10,000 to 50,000. |
| Treatment instead of serving the sentence | The court may order a person whose addiction is established into a treatment facility for not less than 6 months and not more than 3 years or the length of the sentence, whichever is shorter; release is by decision of the treatment committee. If treatment fails or the person breaches his obligations, the matter returns to the court to enforce the sentence. Treatment is not ordered for someone who commits a felony after a previous conviction or a previous treatment order. |
| Leniency | Article 36 does not apply to this offence, so the judge may reduce the penalty by leniency under the Penal Code rules. |
Does a pardon or early release apply to this penalty, or does the accused serve it in full?
It depends on the circumstances of the case, the penal provisions stated in the conviction judgment, and the decisions of the Minister of Interior in this regard.
What should I do if I could not handle it and ended up in a problem like this?
Do not act, and do not sign anything, before speaking with a lawyer who specialises in criminal cases; the first steps of the investigation determine the course of the whole case.
If you are a party to a similar problem, keep our number with you or with a family member and call us immediately so we can step in as quickly as possible. Our team's experience in these cases saves you time and puts your rights on the right track from the first step. Call or WhatsApp: +20 120 855 5806.
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This article is general information for legal awareness and does not replace legal advice on your particular situation.