On the Qualifying Features of the Composition of Drug Smuggling

Introduction: the article examines the qualifying features of the crime provided for in Part 2 of Article 2291 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Materials and methods: the work uses logical, system-structural and comparative methods. The research materials are the UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, the provisions of the articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the provisions of the resolutions of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, materials of judicial practice and scientific literature. The results of the study: results of the study: the author comes to the following conclusions: on the addition of the qualifying feature provided for in paragraph "a" of Part 2 of Article 229.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation with the words "using a person who has not reached the age at which criminal liability occurs"; changing the content of paragraph "b" of Part 2 of Article 229.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - "by a person using his official position"; supplementing Part 2 of Article 229.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation with paragraph "g" - "committed for selfish motives". Modern forms of drug smuggling are characterized by the use of the latest technologies (for example, the darknet, cryptocurrencies, unmanned delivery vehicles), which requires specifying the characteristic of a group of persons by prior agreement, taking into account virtual forms of interaction. The article examines the need for further adaptation of criminal legislation to international standards for combating drug trafficking. Discussions and conclusions: discussions and conclusions: clarification of the qualifying features of Part 2 of Article 2291 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation will improve the accuracy of the classification of crimes, eliminate gaps in law enforcement and strengthen the fight against organized drug smuggling. This corresponds to the objectives of criminal policy in the field of protecting public safety and health of the population, as well as the international obligations of the Russian Federation. The article discusses the dual nature of qualifying features; models of qualifying features; their relationship with aggravating circumstances; ambiguous understanding of who exactly can be considered an official using his official position; the problem of recognizing different forms of violence when committing smuggling, etc.