Crackdown on infiltration continues across Oman

Observer

21-04-2025

Muscat: The Royal Oman Police (ROP), including the Coast Guard, have been cracking down on infiltration in various parts of the country, who tried to enter the Omani territory by land and sea.
Some of the recent incidents include the arrest of Yemeni nationals attempting to enter the country illegally in the Wilayat of Sada.
The Al Wusta Governorate Police arrested three citizens in the Wilayat of Haima for facilitating the entry of illegal immigrants and transporting them in their vehicles.
Thirteen Ethiopians who were accompanying them were arrested on charges of illegal entry and entry into the country.
The Royal Oman Police arrested four Pakistani nationals, including two illegal immigrants, for stealing electrical cables and batteries from a company warehouse in the Wilayat of Sur.
The Coast Guard Police in the Dhofar Governorate also thwarted an attempt to smuggle prohibited materials on a Yemeni boat and arrested two Yemenis red-handed. Legal procedures are being completed in all these cases.
Threat caused by Infiltration
Infiltration is one of the crimes condemned by the laws and regulations as it threatens any country's stability, according to the Royal Oman Police (ROP). Infiltration is the illegal entry of individuals without any legal documentation, without any passport, said Captain Saeed Salim al Mahrazi in an interview with Oman FM.
"The biggest danger here is that some people would hire them because they think their price is cheap, and they want to reduce the cost. The reason why they like to emigrate is perhaps to find a job because there are not enough opportunities to work in their home country. Secondly, they might be wanted by their concerned authorities or the security authorities and escape to avoid being detained or held accountable. Other intentions include smuggling drugs, like transferring some thoughts and culture that do not contradict our beliefs."
As per the Foreigners Residency Law, the illegal entrant can get a sentence of not less than a month and not more than three years and a fine between RO100 and RO500.
Those responsible for hiring and accommodating infiltrators will be subject to a fine between RO1,000 and RO2,000 and imprisonment for about 10 to 30 days."
The problem with infiltration is that authorities have no data about them if they are caught, and secondly, they might be involved with gangs that pose threats because of their likely involvement in the transfer of weapons, drug smuggling, and serious crimes. "Some countries do not have embassies, which sometimes might take longer for the concerned authorities to search for the embassy for that trespasser, so he will take a longer time in detention."
Authorities have been conducting awareness campaigns on the dangers of accommodating or hiring someone without any documentation.
ROP added that once an infiltrator is arrested, he is immediately referred for legal procedures, besides getting in touch with their embassies for deportation.
Challenges posed by infiltration.
Difficult to conduct an investigation when an infiltrator commits a crime due to the absence of a database.
Extra burden on healthcare due to the spread of diseases, especially if employed in the fisheries and agriculture sectors.
Spread of bad behaviors, including the use of drugs.