Muscat – Illegal migrants attempting to enter the sultanate is a significant challenge, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has stated.

ROP statistics show that in May and June this year, 58 individuals attempting to enter Oman illegally were apprehended.

The most recent reported incident includes arrest of two Asian nationals on June 13 by Buraimi Governorate Police Command for smuggling people for financial gain.

A day earlier, North Batinah Coast Guard Police arrested 13 Asian nationals attempting to enter the country illegally. On June 4, a boat carrying 12 Asian infiltrators was intercepted in another Coast Guard operation in North Batinah.

On May 28, a boat carrying 18 Asian nationals attempting to leave the country illegally was seized off the coast of North Batinah.

Dhofar Coast Guard Police seized a boat with three Arab nationals attempting to smuggle over 13,300 prohibited cigarettes on May 22.

A week earlier on May 15, Dhofar Coast Guard Police apprehended four more Arab nationals attempting to smuggle over 38,000 bags of chewing tobacco, while on May 6, Musandam Coast Guard Police intercepted a boat with six Asian nationals smuggling large quantities of alcoholic beverages in Khasab.

Brig Mohammed bin Nasser al Kindi, Director General of Operations at ROP, highlighted the manifold risks associated with harbouring and employing infiltrators.

“They engage in criminal activities, posing security challenges for authorities in identifying perpetrators. Moreover, their presence strains health services, contributing to the spread of infectious diseases.”

Economically, infiltrators impact sectors such as agriculture and fishing, affecting foreign currency flows out of Oman.

Additionally, Brig Kindi noted cultural implications, including the introduction of foreign customs and cultures that may not align with Omani traditions. “Issues such as drug trafficking and begging are also exacerbated by infiltrators.”

He stressed the critical role of citizens and society in supporting national efforts to mitigate the impacts and risks associated with infiltration.

He also underscored the importance of awareness initiatives through media campaigns and educational programmes, advocating the inclusion of infiltration-related topics and laws in school curricula.

He urged citizens and residents to cooperate with authorities by reporting infiltrators, and not sheltering or employing them.

Brig Kindi added that combating infiltration requires unified efforts across all sectors of society, highlighting Oman’s regulations governing foreign residency through Royal Decree No 16/95 enforced by the Inspector General of Police and Customs, which includes penalties for violations.

Tags – Muscat Daily, Times of Oman, infiltrators, Illegal, migrants, Royal Oman Police, ROP, 

Arrest, Brig Mohammed bin Nasser al Kindi, Director General, Operations