Drug smugglers to be executed in Oman, warns ROP

Muscat: Drug dealers face execution if they are caught smuggling drugs in Oman, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has warned.
The ROP, on the authority of Colonel Abdulrahim bin Qassem Al Farisi, General Director of Drugs Prevention, has issued the public statement about the laws now in place to fight drug use in the Sultanate.
Colonel Al Farisi said in the statement that the highest punishment for anyone who attempts to smuggle any narcotics or psychotropic drugs into the country will face execution.
The highest penalty for drug users will be a maximum of three years in prison and a fine of OMR3,000, as defined in Article 43.
Deportation
Expatriates who are convicted of any crimes listed in this law will be deported and will not be allowed to return to Oman, nor will they be allowed to work in the Sultanate (Article 66).
Anyone who conceals from authorities the information or access to the drugs or narcotics consignment, will be sentenced to a prison term between six months and three years and a fine of between OMR100 and OMR1,000 (Article 64).
The statement added that the law does not apply to drug users who ask authorities for treatment at a hospital or through a request by a family member, provided that he does not have a crime history connected to drug use.
Amendments to the Law on Narcotics and Psychotropic Drugs were already approved by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said in October last year (Royal Decree no. 34/2015).
The ROP calls upon everybody who needs medicine from abroad to keep the medical proof with them at all the times to avoid legal consequences. The statement says that the ROP is preparing targeted awareness programmes against drug use through leaflets, films and campaign buses touring through the Sultanate. It will be also be organising activities for deaddiction from drugs.