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Article 68 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law

المادة 68 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية

The article gives those competent in Customs, the Border Guard, the Saudi Central Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture the status of criminal-investigation officers within their own work and the Law, with coordination with the security and investigating bodies.

Official text (Arabic)

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

للمختصين في الجمارك و حرس الحدود و مؤسسة النقد العربي السعودي و وزارة الزراعة صفة الضبط الجنائي ، كل فيما يخص أعمال وظيفته ويتصل بأحكام هذا النظام، ويتم التنسيق بينهم وبين مسئولي الضبط الجنائي لدى الجهات الأمنية وجهات التحقيق المختصة في قضايا مكافحة المخدرات.

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 68 explained in plain English

This article widens the circle of bodies that hold the status of criminal-investigation officers in applying the Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law, giving it to those competent in:

  • Customs.
  • The Border Guard.
  • The Saudi Central Bank.
  • The Ministry of Agriculture.

But this status is limited by two conditions: what they do must relate to the work of each one's position, and it must be connected with the provisions of this Law. So the article does not give them a general seizure status over all drug offenses outside the scope of their work.

The article also requires coordination between these officials and the criminal-investigation officers in the security bodies and the investigating bodies competent in narcotics control cases.

The work of these bodies connects with the offenses and concepts defined in Article 1, such as bringing in (introducing narcotics or psychotropic substances into the Kingdom), exporting (taking them out of it) and laundering funds obtained from offenses under the Law, and cultivating the plants listed in Table No. (4). The article does not detail the tasks of each body, but ties them to the work of its position.

This article complements Article 66, which gives the status of criminal-investigation officers to the directors, officers and non-commissioned officers of narcotics control, and Article 67, which gives it to those competent in the Ministry of Health.

Anyone who faces a measure by one of these bodies in a drug-related case should consult a lawyer specialized in criminal and drug cases.

Practical example

A customs employee at the Batha port suspects a consignment coming in that is believed to contain psychotropic substances. The employee exercises the status of criminal-investigation officer in respect of his customs work, and coordination takes place with the criminal-investigation officers in the security bodies and the investigating bodies competent in narcotics control cases.

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 68 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law

Does Customs have powers in drug cases?

Yes. Those competent in Customs have the status of criminal-investigation officers in respect of the work of their position and as connected with the provisions of the narcotics law.

Which bodies hold criminal-investigation status under this article?

Those competent in Customs, the Border Guard, the Saudi Central Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture, each in respect of the work of his position.

Do these bodies work alone?

The article requires coordination between them and the criminal-investigation officers in the security bodies and the investigating bodies competent in narcotics control cases.

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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.