Oman introduces death penalty, stiffer fines under new Anti-Narcotics Law

Muscat: Oman has enacted a new Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances under Royal Decree No. 67/2026, introducing severe penalties for drug trafficking, smuggling, possession and personal use, including the death penalty and life imprisonment in certain cases.

Under the new law, importing, exporting, producing, or manufacturing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances for the purpose of trafficking is punishable by imprisonment and a fine ranging from RO 35,000 to RO 60,000.

The death penalty applies to drug smuggling carried out for the purpose of trafficking in specified aggravated circumstances, including repeat offences, abuse of official authority, licences or legal immunity, using a person lacking legal capacity or with diminished capacity, and participation in or cooperation with international gangs involved in drug smuggling.

The law also prescribes a minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a fine of RO 10,000 to RO 25,000 for possessing, transporting, selling, delivering, or distributing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances for trafficking purposes.

The penalty may be raised to life imprisonment when such offences are committed in or around certain protected locations, including educational, cultural, sports or correctional facilities, places of worship; camps and prisons, or when drugs are provided to a person lacking legal capacity or with diminished capacity.

For personal use, anyone who possesses, acquires, purchases, produces or manufactures narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances for consumption faces imprisonment of one to three years and a fine of RO 1,000 to RO 5,000.

At the same time, the law provides treatment and rehabilitation options for people suffering from drug dependency. Courts may order their placement in rehabilitation centres or specialised treatment facilities instead of imprisonment, subject to the conditions set out in the law. Admission to a rehabilitation centre may range from six months to one year.

The law further provides that no criminal charges will be established against a drug user who voluntarily approaches the authorities for treatment, or who is referred for treatment by a qualifying relative.

The new legislation repeals the previous Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances issued under Royal Decree No. 17/99 and entered into force following its publication in the Official Gazette.

Source: timesofoman.com, Staff, September 10, 2026

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."
— Oscar Wilde

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