RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has redefined its drug trafficking laws, giving discretionary power to judges and allowing them to award specified terms in prison instead of awarding the death penalty, the Jeddah based Saudi Gazette reported on Monday.

The Saudi Anti-Drug and Mental Effects Regulation stipulates death penalty for drug traffickers, manufacturers and recipients of any narcotic substances, but judges now may exercise discretion to reduce the sentence to imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, sessions of 50 lashes, and a minimum fine of SR100,000.

According to media reports at least 62 people have been beheaded this year in the kingdom, a large number of them for drug-related crimes.