BAHRAIN seized around 20kg of narcotics at various ports of entry in April.
Eighty-six per cent of drug-related cases registered during the month involved females, while 14pc were males. Sixty-per cent of the accused were expatriates and 40pc citizens.
The statistics were released by the Interior Ministry in the latest edition of its monthly Al Amn (Security) magazine.
“A total of 598,050 people arrived in Bahrain through the King Fahad Causeway in April while 595,604 left,” the ministry said.
“A total of 109,392 arrived through the Bahrain International Airport (BIA) while 3,509 came through seaports.”
The Anti-Narcotics Directorate has been ramping up efforts since 2019 to combat drug crimes by intensifying patrols at border crossings and ports. The latest technologies are being deployed to monitor smuggling routes and methods while the authority has been co-ordinating proactive security operations prior to the drugs entering Bahrain.
“One of the key components in combating narcotics is enhancing community partnership, which was done through the National Plan to Combat Drugs and Psychotropic Substances initiated on June 25, 2015,” said the Interior Ministry in the publication.
“A total of 264 initiatives were planned, of which 257 were carried out in collaboration with 24 agencies with a 97pc success rate.
“Work is underway to launch the second edition of the plan in collaboration with Bahraini cadres.”
The next edition of the five-year plan will be launched by Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa during celebrations of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. The day was first launched by the United Nations in 1989 and has been commemorated annually to combat drug abuse and illegal trade.
“Meanwhile, efforts have been intensified to raise awareness within the community to eradicate narcotics use and addiction, especially among school and university students, through lectures and social media,” added the Interior Ministry.
“A total of 109 awareness lectures were held in collaboration with the Education Ministry last year, which benefited 5,997 individuals. Thirty-six lectures were held for school students and youth club members in the first quarter of this year and 2,257 individuals have benefited from it so far.”
Official statistics revealed that 408 drug dealers were arrested in 2019, which dropped to 284 and 224 in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
A total of 1,429 drug users were arrested in 2019, while 591 and 952 were caught in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Meanwhile, a total of 1,547 cases were reported in 2019, followed by 729 in 2020 and 1,049 in 2021.
Work continues at the Anti-Narcotics Directorate according to a quality system to transition to electronic archiving.
Meanwhile, an office dedicated to co-ordinate seizure and safekeeping procedures has been established with an electronic link to all concerned departments.
“There have been community efforts to rectify the behaviour of delinquent youths and rehabilitate them to be productive members of society through the Taafi Drug Recovery Association,” added the Interior Ministry.
“Integration is done by building their self-confidence and helping them recover from drug abuse.”
A hotline, 996, was launched in November last year to report cases and complaints and seek assistance in instances related to illicit drugs.
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