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Article 66 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law

المادة 66 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية

The article gives the directors, officers and non-commissioned officers of narcotics control the status of criminal-investigation officers throughout the Kingdom for drug offenses, subject to Article 26 of the Law of Criminal Procedure.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

مع مراعاة ما نصت عليه المادة (السادسة والعشرون) من نظام الإجراءات الجزائية ، لمديري مكافحة المخدرات وضباطها وضباط الصف صفة الضبط الجنائي في جميع أنحاء المملكة في الجرائم المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام. ولهم في سبيل ذلك البحث عن الجرائم وعن مرتكبيها وجمع الاستدلالات اللازمة للتحقيق في هذه الجرائم وضبط المواد المشتبه بها وتحريزها.

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 66 explained in plain English

This article identifies the security body specialized in pursuing offenses under the Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law, and gives the status of criminal-investigation officers to each of:

  • the directors of narcotics control,
  • the officers of narcotics control,
  • the non-commissioned officers in narcotics control.

This status is given to them throughout the Kingdom, but within the scope of the offenses provided for in this Law, and subject to Article 26 of the Law of Criminal Procedure. The text of that article is not reproduced here, so the Law of Criminal Procedure should be consulted for it; it is not Article 26 of the Anti-Narcotics Law.

To achieve this, the article gave them specific powers:

  • searching for offenses and for their perpetrators.
  • Collecting the evidence needed to investigate these offenses.
  • Seizing suspected substances and sealing them.

This article is complemented by Article 65, which refers the seizure of drug offenses to Articles 27 and 28 of the Law of Criminal Procedure, and by Articles 67 and 68, which give the status of criminal-investigation officers to those competent in the Ministry of Health, and in Customs, the Border Guard, the Saudi Central Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture, each in respect of his own work.

Anyone who has been subject to a seizure measure in a drug case and wants to know his rights and whether the procedures were valid should consult a lawyer specialized in criminal and drug cases.

Practical example

The narcotics control department in Dammam receives information about a person suspected of dealing in narcotics. Its officers exercise their powers by searching for the offense and its perpetrator and collecting evidence, then seizing the suspected substances and sealing them, subject to what Article 26 of the Law of Criminal Procedure provides.

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 66 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law

Who has the status of criminal-investigation officer in drug offenses?

The directors, officers and non-commissioned officers of narcotics control, throughout the Kingdom and in the offenses provided for in the Law, subject to Article 26 of the Law of Criminal Procedure.

What are the powers of narcotics control officers?

Searching for offenses and their perpetrators, collecting the evidence needed for the investigation, and seizing suspected substances and sealing them.

Are narcotics control powers limited to a particular area?

No. The article gives them the status of criminal-investigation officers throughout the Kingdom in the offenses of this Law.

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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.