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Royal Decree 67/2026 promulgated the Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances after its presentation to Majlis Oman, according to the text published in the Official Gazette on September 6. The statute replaces the framework established under Royal Decree 17/99 and requires the Minister of Health to issue implementing regulations while allowing existing rules to remain in force until then provided they do not conflict with the new provisions. It annuls all prior contradictory legislation and takes effect the day after its publication. The decree frames the update as serving the public interest in response to evolving threats from drug production and distribution networks.
The new law imposes the death penalty or life imprisonment accompanied by fines of no less than 35,000 Omani rials and no more than 60,000 for importing, exporting, producing or trafficking scheduled substances with intent to distribute, a tightening from the previous minimum fine of 25,000 rials set out in the repealed statute. Aggravating circumstances including recidivism, involvement of minors or use of educational facilities trigger mandatory capital punishment in specified cases, the decree’s attached provisions state. Penalties for related offenses such as facilitating consumption or managing premises for drug use now extend to a maximum of 15 years in prison with fines ranging from 10,000 to 25,000 rials, up from earlier ceilings of 10 years and 15,000 rials. A United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime regional review from last year highlighted that Gulf states have progressively aligned legislation with rising synthetic opioid flows, placing Oman’s adjustments within that pattern.
Alternative sanctions including community service and electronic monitoring become available for certain lower-level violations under the updated framework, according to the law’s newly introduced mechanisms. These options did not feature in the 1999 legislation, which focused primarily on custodial penalties and fines. The decree directs uniform application across all relevant authorities and emphasises rehabilitation pathways alongside enforcement. Local legal commentary carried by Athir noted that the changes differentiate sanctions according to the pharmacological profile of each substance, imposing harsher terms for higher-risk psychotropics listed in the updated schedules.
Foreign nationals convicted of any offense under the statute or facing serious repeated accusations face permanent deportation from Oman, the new law stipulates in dedicated provisions absent from the prior code. This measure applies even where procedural dismissals occur if evidence indicates involvement, aiming to disrupt transnational supply routes. The legislation also shields victims and low-level users who cooperate with authorities from full criminal liability while mandating treatment programs funded by the state. Muscat Daily reported on September 5 that the decree formed part of a package of 10 royal orders issued that week covering data protection and diplomatic appointments as well.
Oman’s June 2026 cybercrime statute, issued by Royal Decree 61/2026, already prescribed the death penalty or life imprisonment with fines up to 100,000 rials for online promotion or trafficking of narcotics using digital platforms, according to an Oman Observer summary of that earlier measure. The latest anti-narcotics law complements those digital safeguards by addressing physical supply chains and precursor chemicals through expanded regulatory powers granted to the Ministry of Health. Enforcement bodies gain authority to impose monitoring orders on released offenders for up to five years, with violations carrying additional prison terms of up to five years and fines reaching 10,000 rials. The combined legal architecture reflects sustained government focus on both prevention and punishment.
The Minister of Health must now develop executive regulations detailing classification updates, licensing for medical use and procedures for rehabilitation centers, as required by Article II of the royal decree. Until those rules appear, non-conflicting elements of earlier decisions remain operative to avoid disruption in pharmaceutical and veterinary sectors regulated under separate statutes. Oman Observer data from mid-2024 placed annual narcotics seizures in the hundreds of kilograms, underscoring the scale of activity the revised penalties seek to address. Implementation will fall to coordinated teams from health, interior and justice ministries under the new framework.
