Cybercrime Law: Death penalty for drug trafficking

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has introduced a formidable legal shield against organized crime in the digital age with the promulgation of Royal Decree No. 61/2026, establishing the new Law on Combating Cybercrimes. Issued on June 1, 2026, this landmark legislation is designed to fortify national digital security, protect society from evolving cyber threats, and ensure the integrity of electronic data. By introducing unprecedented legal deterrents, the law aims to dismantle illicit networks that exploit information technology for trafficking and exploitation.

The new law takes an exceptionally firm stance on trafficking offenses, ranging from narcotics and psychotropic substances to the illegal trade in human beings and organs, with penalties escalating to the maximum extent of the law.

In one of its most stringent provisions, Article 46 of the Cybercrime Law addresses the grave threat posed by the digital promotion and trafficking of narcotics. The law stipulates that anyone who uses an electronic site, information system, or information technology tool with the intent to traffic or promote narcotics or psychotropic substances—specifically those listed in the comprehensive schedules of the Law on Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances—shall face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

This severe punishment is accompanied by a fine ranging from OMR 50,000 to OMR 100,000. Furthermore, individuals using digital platforms to disseminate methods of drug abuse or facilitate unauthorized transactions face imprisonment for 10 to 15 years and fines up to OMR 15,000. These measures signal Oman’s absolute commitment to eradicating drug-related crimes that leverage the anonymity of the internet.

The legislation also reinforces the Sultanate’s fight against the exploitation of individuals. Article 45 targets human trafficking conducted through digital means, imposing a prison sentence of no less than 10 years and no more than 15 years. Offenders are also subject to substantial fines between OMR 20,000 and OMR 150,000. By specifically penalizing the use of technology to facilitate such transactions, the law aims to paralyze trafficking rings that use social media and encrypted platforms to recruit or exploit victims.

The digital facilitation of human organ trafficking is another critical area addressed by the new decree. Under Article 43, the use of information technology for the trafficking of human organs or the facilitation of such deals is punishable by imprisonment for three to ten years. Financial penalties for this offense are severe, with fines ranging from OMR 25,000 to OMR 150,000. This provision ensures that the digital sphere cannot be used as a marketplace for the illegal and unethical trade of human organs.

The Law on Combating Cybercrimes serves as a cornerstone for Oman’s national security strategy. By aligning tough penalties with the realities of modern technology, the law provides law enforcement and the judiciary with the necessary tools to protect the moral and physical safety of the community. As the digital landscape continues to expand, these provisions ensure that the Sultanate remains a secure environment, free from the reach of global trafficking networks.