Article 47 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
المادة 47 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
The article allows the Minister of Interior or his delegate to be content with deporting an addict who arrived on a Hajj or Umrah visa if the substances he holds do not exceed his personal need, with the Implementing Regulations setting their type and quantity.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
ل وزير الداخلية -أو من يفوضه- الاكتفاء بإبعاد مدمن المخدرات أو المؤثرات العقلية الذي قدم بتأشيرة حج أو عمرة وبحوزته مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية لا تفيض عن حاجته واستعماله الشخصي. وتحدد اللائحة نوع هذه المواد وكميتها.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 47 explained in plain English
This article deals with a special case concerning pilgrims: an addict to narcotics or psychotropic substances who arrived on a Hajj or Umrah visa and has narcotics or psychotropic substances in his possession.
The rule: the Minister of Interior or his delegate may be content with deporting him, rather than taking other measures, under conditions that must all be met:
- The person must be an addict.
- He must have arrived on a Hajj or Umrah visa.
- The substances in his possession must be no more than his personal need and use.
The Implementing Regulations specify the type and quantity of these substances; the article itself does not state them. The rule is also discretionary ("may be content"), so it is a power left to the Minister or his delegate, not an automatic right of every pilgrim or Umrah performer.
The text does not cover a person holding quantities beyond his personal need, so he does not fall under this rule.
This article comes after Article 46, which punishes a person caught frequenting a place prepared for drug use, while use is going on and knowing what happens there, with imprisonment of up to 3 months or flogging of up to 50 lashes, and before Article 48, which punishes a violation of Article 36 on chemical precursors with imprisonment of up to 6 months and a fine not exceeding SAR 3,000, or either of the two.
Anyone facing a case of this kind, or with a relative in it, can consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.
Practical example
An Umrah performer arrives at Jeddah airport with a small quantity of a narcotic substance, and it turns out he is an addict and the quantity does not exceed his personal use, as the Implementing Regulations define it. Under Article 47, the Minister of Interior or his delegate may be content with deporting him from the Kingdom.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 47 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
What happens to an Umrah performer found with drugs for personal use?
If he is an addict who arrived on a Hajj or Umrah visa and the substances do not exceed his personal need, the Minister of Interior or his delegate may be content with deporting him.
What quantity counts as personal use?
The Implementing Regulations specify the type and quantity of these substances; Article 47 itself does not state them.
Is deportation an automatic right for an addicted pilgrim?
No. The text gives the Minister of Interior or his delegate the power to be content with deportation, so it is discretionary.
More articles on Penalty for Drug Use
- Article 41
The article punishes with 6 months to 2 years in prison anyone who commits the acts of Articles 37 and 38 with intent to use personally, and increases the penalty for those charged with combating narcotics and anyone who uses them at work.
1- يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تقل عن ستة أشهر ولا تزيد على سنتين، كل من ارتكب أحد الأفعال الجرمية المنصوص عليها في المادتين (السابعة والثلاثين) و(الثامنة والثلاثين) من
- Article 42
The article bars prosecution of a user or addict who comes forward, or whose relative comes forward, asking for treatment and hands over what he holds, and allows the investigation to be shelved for a first offense under set conditions.
1- لا تقام الدعوى بسبب تعاطي أو استعمال أو إدمان المخدرات أو المؤثرات العقلية بحق مرتكب أحد هذه الأفعال إذا تقدم بنفسه أو أحد أصوله أو فروعه أو زوجه أو أحد أقار
- Article 46
The article punishes a person who frequents a place prepared for drug use, while use is going on and knowing what happens there, with up to 3 months in prison or flogging, and exempts the relatives and residents of the person who prepared the place unless they took part.
1- يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على ثلاثة أشهر أو بالجلد بما لا يزيد على خمسين جلدة، كل من ضبط يتردد على مكان معد لتعاطي المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية ، وذلك أ
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.