Article 36 of the Saudi Narcotics Law Implementing Regulations
المادة 36 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
The article provides for confiscating the substances in paragraph (1) of Article 52 of the Law as soon as they are seized, and regulates keeping them with the seizing body, destruction committees, and handing them to government bodies for lawful purposes.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تصادر المواد المذكورة في الفقرة (1) من المادة (الثانية والخمسين) من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية بمجرد ضبطها على أن يثبت ذلك في محضر الضبط .
2 - لوزير الداخلية أن يبقي لدى الجهة الضابطة المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية غير المشروعة التي ضبطتها حتى موعد إتلافها أو تسليمها إلى إدارة مكافحة المخدرات .
3 - أ - تشكل لجنة أو أكثر - بحسب ما يراه وزير الداخلية - لإتلاف المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية المصادرة، يشارك فيها مندوب من كل من:
1 - إمارة المنطقة .
2- إدارة مكافحة المخدرات .
3- المحكمة .
4- هيئة التحقيق والادعاء العام .
5- مصلحة الجمارك .
6- الجهة التي تولت الضبط .
ب- تحدد ضوابط وإجراءات إتلاف المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية المصادرة بقرار من وزير الداخلية.
ج - يحدد مجلس الوزراء مكافأة أعضاء لجنة الإتلاف .
4 - يجوز تسليم المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية المصادرة - كلها أو بعضها - إلى أي جهة حكومية للانتفاع بها في الأغراض العلمية أو الصناعية أو الطبية، وذلك وفقا لضوابط تصدر بقرار من وزير الداخلية.
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 36 explained in plain English
This article regulates what happens to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances after they are seized:
- Immediate confiscation: the substances mentioned in paragraph (1) of Article 52 of the Law are confiscated as soon as they are seized, and this is recorded in the seizure report.
- Keeping them with the seizing body: the Minister of Interior may keep the unlawful substances with the body that seized them until the time for their destruction or for delivering them to the Narcotics Control Department.
- Destruction committees: one or more committees are formed as the Minister of Interior sees fit, with a representative from each of: the regional emirate, the Narcotics Control Department, the court, the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution, the Customs Authority, and the body that carried out the seizure. The rules and procedures for destruction are set by a decision of the Minister of Interior, and the Council of Ministers determines the remuneration of the committee members.
- Lawful use: the confiscated substances may be handed over, in whole or in part, to any government body to be used for scientific, industrial or medical purposes, in accordance with rules issued by a decision of the Minister of Interior.
In practical terms, confiscation of the substances mentioned does not wait for a judgment to be issued, and their destruction is carried out by a committee made up of several bodies. The article does not set out the content of paragraph (1) of Article 52 of the Law. Anyone involved in a case with seized items is well advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCriminal Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Criminal Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 36 of the Saudi Narcotics Law Implementing Regulations
When are seized drugs confiscated?
The substances mentioned in paragraph 1 of Article 52 of the Law are confiscated as soon as they are seized, and this is recorded in the seizure report.
Who takes part in the drug destruction committee?
Representatives of the regional emirate, the Narcotics Control Department, the court, the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution, Customs, and the seizing body.
Can confiscated drugs be put to use?
They may be handed over, in whole or in part, to a government body for scientific, industrial or medical purposes, under rules set by a decision of the Minister of Interior.
More articles on Confiscating and Destroying Drugs and Exemption
- Article 37
The article requires the competent executive bodies to take the measures necessary to implement what is provided in Articles 55, 56 and 57 of the Law of Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
تتخذ الجهات التنفيذية المختصة الإجراءات اللازمة لتنفيذ ما ورد في المواد ( الخامسة والخمسين ، والسادسة والخمسين ، والسابعة والخمسين) من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والم
- Article 38
The article provides that the exemption under Article 61 of the Narcotics Law is issued by a reasoned decision of the head of the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution.
يصدر الإعفاء المنصوص عليه في المادة (الحادية والستين) من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية بقرار مسبب من رئيس هيئة التحقيق والادعاء العام.
- Article 40
The article provides that the Regulations are published in the Official Gazette and take effect thirty days after the date of their publication.
تُنشر هذه اللائحة في الجريدة الرسمية ، ويعمل بها بعد ثلاثين يوما من تاريخ نشرها .
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.