The Attorney General Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Mojeb has approved the inclusion of all criminal descriptions related to the substance methamphetamine (known as ‘Shabu’) as major crimes punishable by detention. This is part of the national efforts to combat drugs and reduce their spread, as methamphetamine poses serious health risks to society and its security, causing severe mental and behavioral disorders that contribute to increased crime and violence rates. Dealing with this menace as a major crime requiring detention is necessary to address it firmly in accordance with deterrent legislation and decisions.
His Excellency issued decision number 110 on 1/1/1446H to add clause number 26 to decision number 1 on 1/1/1442H, which now reads as follows: “All criminal descriptions related to methamphetamine (Shabu) are considered major crimes punishable by detention.” The criminal descriptions referred to in the decision include the crime of using Shabu and related crimes such as possession, trafficking, smuggling, receiving, acquiring, delivering, purchasing, or transporting, if the intent is for personal use, as well as attempting to manufacture Shabu.
This decision is in accordance with article 112 of the amended Code of Criminal Procedure by Royal Decree No. M/125 on 14/9/1441H, which stipulates that “The Attorney General, in agreement with the Ministry of Interior and the State Security Presidency, shall determine what constitutes major crimes punishable by detention and publish this in the official gazette.”
In another aspect of the efforts to combat drugs, article 42 of the Law on Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances allows drug users or abusers the opportunity to seek treatment without legal accountability. This is on the condition that they present themselves or one of their relatives seeking treatment, provided that they surrender any drugs or psychotropic substances in their possession or provide information on their whereabouts.
