Muscat: Oman Customs had tightened up its borders security and other areas to combat smuggling into the country. The Customs has also set up checkpoints in the areas where smuggling of Qhat is suspected.
Coast guards patrol Omani territorial waters on a daily basis to prevent smuggling of Qhat or other narcotic substances into the country.
Al Abri added that several people have been arrested on drug trafficking charges.
To curb the entry of illegals into the country, he said that the Custom has intensified its patrolling on land and is also conducting a thorough scrutiny of passports and visas.
Many have been arrested for smuggling vehicles and weapons, he said.
The Customs will also not be lenient towards those who fire weapons in the air during weddings and other occasions, Al Abri said.Recently, there was a firing incident in Dhofar.
Five Asians were arrested on drug trafficking charges in the Suwaiq wilayat and 9kg of marijuana was recovered from their residence.
All the accused were referred to the Public Prosecution for further investigation and trial.
Four people were held for detaining a family, impersonating policemen and looting them in South Sharqiyah.
An Customs official said that the four accused entered the home of an expatriate after posing as policemen and detained the family. The accused then stole OMR2,165 and jewellery worth more than OMR8,000 and fled.
After search and investigations, the accused were nabbed and confessed to the crime. Legal action has been initiated against the accused.
One Asian was arrested for assaulting another expatriate with a knife in Ruwi area of Muttrah.
The Ruwi police station received a report about the incident and rushed to the spot after co-ordinating with the ambulance unit to help the victim who had sustained severe injuries in the stabbing incident.
After a search the accused was arrested and sent to the Public Prosecution.
