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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

More arrests as police intensify drug chase

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MUSCAT, SEPT 6 - As a result of intensified efforts by the authorities, drug peddlers and traffickers are on the run.


A large number of people have been arrested in the recent past for possession, trafficking and abuse of drugs.


In the latest series of arrests, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) on Wednesday said that many people were held in Nizwa and Muscat in this regard.


“Three suspects including a man of Asian nationality were arrested on charges of possessing narcotic substances. The Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Department, with cooperation of the Al Dakhiliyah police, have seized 61 capsules of morphine from their possession”, the ROP said in a statement.


In similar cases, two persons were arrested in Muscat and two others were held in Bausher for possession of 1300 pills of psychotropic substances and marijuana, respectively.


According to the Directorate-General for the Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, two expatriates were arrested on charges of possession of narcotic substances.


In May last, seven arrests were made in Al Wusta and Dhofar governorates and recovered captagon pills and bundles of khat. “The accused have been referred to Public Prosecution for necessary legal action,” the ROP said.


Oman’s Narcotics and Psychotropic Drugs law stipulate stiffer penalties, including death and life sentence for peddling and smuggling of drugs.


According to Article 43 of the law, which was amended in 2015, drug abusers can receive up to three years imprisonment, a maximum fine of RO 3,000 or death sentence While releasing the details of the arrest, the ROP asked both the citizens and residents to pass on information on drug related cases to the police.


“To combat drug abuse in the Sultanate, citizens and residents are urged to cooperate with police by sharing information that can help trace cases of drug smugglers and traffickers”, the ROP said.


According to Article 64, any person concealing information on or access to the drugs’ consignment from authorities concerned will be jailed between six months and three years and imposed a fine of minimum RO 100 but not more than RO 1,000.


At the same time, drug abusers can avoid prosecution if they seek treatment at a rehabilitation centre, provided they are not caught red-handed and no criminal suit is already filed against them.


Rehabilitation can either be sought by the addict or on the request of spouse or kin.


SAMUEL KUTTY


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