MUSCAT : The Public Prosecution highlighted significant provisions of the Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, issued under Royal Decree No. 67/2026, including expanded eligibility for exemption from criminal proceedings for drug users, stronger legal protection for witnesses and revised rules governing drug testing and the closure of premises linked to specified offences.

Under the law, requests for exemption from criminal proceedings may be submitted by relatives up to the fourth degree if no relatives within the second degree are available.

The legislation also extends legal protection to witnesses and individuals cooperating with the competent authority in combating drug-related offences.

Regarding premises where specified drug-related offences are committed, the law provides for temporary closure for periods ranging from three months to one year, while retaining permanent closure in cases prescribed by law.

The provisions also expand the circumstances in which refusal to provide a sample for drug testing constitutes a criminal offence. These include cases where the Public Prosecution has authorised a person’s arrest on suspicion of drug use, as well as situations in which the person’s family has reported their use or possession of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.

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