Two drug traffickers have been arrested by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) in Muscat governorate, the Royal Omani Police (ROP) announced on its Twitter page Wendnesday.
A statement issued by the ROP said: “The General Department for Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances has successfully arrested two Asian nationals in a major drug operation. The pair were caught in possession of a significant haul of heroin and over 29,000 psychotropic pills. Legal proceedings are now underway.”
Oman has been conducting intensive campaigns nationwide targeting the youth, the largest segment of drug users.
Death penalty
In 2018, Oman introduced the death penalty for drug traffickers, amid efforts to curb a growing problem.
The article 43 of the amended law stipulates death penalty or life sentence for drug dealers and a fine of more than 25,000 riyals (about Dh238,500). It also stipulates the death penalty for anyone who has connection with international drug trafficking gangs.
Article 56 stipulates that anyone who assaults drug enforcement staff will be jailed for a minimum of ten years and will be fined no less than 3,000 riyals.
It also stipulates the life sentence in case of the assault resulted in permanent disability. The death penalty will be given in case the assault results in death.
If a suspect refuses to provide the necessary samples for the detection of the narcotics, he or she will be jailed six month at least and a face fine of 100 riyals.
Earlier, An official at the Royal Oman Police (ROP), told Gulf News that Oman’s long coastline and proximity to the drug exporting countries poses a major challenge in combatting drug trafficking.
ROP along with other security units has intensifies its efforts to combat drug peddling, said the official. He added that most of the drug traffickers who were arrested in Oman are expatriates. According to ROP figures, heroin is the number one drug seized by ROP.
