1,226 drug dealing cases reported; 294 dealers held in 2012 

(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) As many as 1,226 cases of drug dealing were reported and 294 arrested for the offence in 2012, according to ROP.This was announced at the official inauguration of the Directorate General of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (DGNPS) held under the patronage of H E Dr Mohammed bin Saif al Hosni, Undersecretary for Health Affairs at the Ministry of Health, on Saturday.''Around 1,226 cases of drug dealing were reported and 294 drug dealers arrested in 2012. Drug dealing is an organised crime which needs to be fought through international and societal cooperation,'' said Lt Col Abdurahim Qasim al Farsi, the Director General of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances. Tracing the growth of the directorate general, he said, ''The Directorate General of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances originated as an anti-drug department working out of Muscat Police Station in 1981. The department was developed into an anti-drug directorate under the Directorate General for Intelligence and Criminal Investigation in 1986.''''On April 22, 2012, the Inspector General for Police and Customs issued decision 80/2012 upgrading the directorate to a directorate general and outlining its main functions,'' Lt Col Farsi said.''We thank the leadership of the sultanate for continuously supporting this directorate and supplying qualified manpower and finances.A documentary on the functions of DGNPS was screened on the occasion. A former drug addict narrated his battle with addiction. Retired police officers who served in the directorate were also honoured.