Expat arrested for selling illegal tobacco in Oman

Oman Wednesday 08/February/2023 16:05 PM
By: Times News Service
Expat arrested for selling illegal tobacco in Oman
Legal measures were taken against him.

Muscat: Judicial enforcement officers, in cooperation with the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and the Public Prosecution, arrested an expatriate worker who stores, distributes and sells chewing (non-smoking) tobacco from his accommodation in the Wilayat of Al Amerat.

This step comes as part of the efforts made by the Authority represented by its various directorates and departments in various governorates in combating the spread of prohibited substances that have an impact on the health and safety of the individuals and society.

The Authority received a report about an expatriate worker who possesses, distributes, and sells types of chewing (non-smoking) tobacco. Accordingly, the Authority, represented by the Markets Regulation and Monitoring Department, after obtaining a search warrant from the Public Prosecution, set up a team to arrest the violator. After researching and verifying the veracity of the report, and coordinating with the Public Prosecution and the Royal Oman Police in Muscat Governorate, to monitor and raid the location of the worker. The prohibited materials were seized in his possession, including 4535 bags of different types of chewing tobacco. Also, sums of money estimated at 1800 Omani Riyals were seized as a result of his distribution and sales in the Wilayat of Al Amerat.

He is in violation of Resolution No. (256/2015) amended by Resolution No. (301/2016) regarding the ban on the circulation of smokeless chewing tobacco. The violator was detained and investigated. Legal measures were taken against him and he was referred to the Public Prosecution. The Consumer Protection Authority confirms that it will spare no effort to intensify market monitoring and control everything that may harm the health and safety of consumers, and to take legal measures against violators. The Authority appeals to consumers to report any abuses that they may notice in the markets through various communication channels.