Addressing an awareness seminar, organised in association with the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), ambassador Vipul noted there is an upward trend of cases where travellers from Indian airports are seized in Qatar with prohibited drugs.
“The expatriate community, social activists and the media should be cautious and interfere,” he said while drawing attention towards the grim scenario and explaining that several Indian citizens are languishing in Qatar jails after they were caught with prohibited drugs.
“A lack of awareness about the prohibited drugs and restrictions in place result in the detention of some. The anti drug law is strong and strictly enforced in Qatar and the convicted don’t go unpunished,” he pointed out.
ICBF president Shanavas Bava stressed the need to launch active campaigns to make community members aware of the rules and regulations. He explained the legal and financial assistance provided to the jailed Indian citizens by the embassy and affiliated bodies.
First Secretary Eish Singhal urged the travellers to be cautious while carrying the items of others. “In some cases, those sentenced claimed they had been handed over a packet by agents while travelling to Qatar and the packet was found to contain prohibited or restricted items when they landed,” he said.
Qatar's Ministry of Interior (MoI) has repeatedly said departing or arriving travellers are not allowed to carry drugs containing narcotics or psychotropic substances except in accordance with the controls and conditions issued by the authorities concerned.
These should be carried with a medical report with a validity of not exceeding six months. The report should contain personal details of the patient, medical diagnosis, treatment plan and duration along with medical prescriptions and the scientific name of the medicine.
Also, travellers need to ensure that their baggage does not contain narcotic substances or medicinal drugs with dangerous psychotropic substances. MoI has also urged travellers not to carry the belongings of others while travelling to Qatar without checking their contents to avoid legal accountability.
“The carrier bears full criminal responsibility if these materials are prohibited in the country. Avoid bringing any suspicious substances or drugs. Because some narcotic substances and medicines may be allowed in the home country but banned in Qatar. Consult the government health institutions to get medicines. Stay away from suspicious places and bad friends,” MoI has warned.
Anyone caught for the consumption of narcotic substances can get a fine of not more than QR10,000 and not less than QR5,000. Imprisonment for a period of not exceeding three years and not less than six months and a fine of not exceeding QR20,000 and not less than QR10,000 will be given in case of drug abuse.
This applies to whomever imports, possesses, acquires, purchases, receives, transports, produces, extracts, separates or manufactures narcotic substances. Also, those who cultivate or possess or purchase plants listed in Schedule 4 with the intention of illicit consumption or personal use.
Travellers can check the list of prohibited drugs at the website of the Ministry of Public Health. Incidents about drug abuse or trafficking could be informed and help could be sought at 2347000 and [email protected].
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