MUSCAT: The Compliance And Risk Assessment Department in Muscat Governorate carried out coordinated raids on multiple residences used by expatriate workers. During the inspections, authorities discovered an extensive cache of contraband items, including more than 4,290 bottles and cans of alcohol, 1,860 cigarette packs, and around 384 kilograms of tobacco products. This large-scale bust highlights the ongoing efforts to curb illegal trade and unlicensed storage of restricted goods within the Sultanate.
Officials explained that these raids were part of a wider campaign to ensure that foreign workers and residents adhere strictly to Omani laws and regulations on the sale, distribution, and possession of alcohol and tobacco products. The department had reportedly received several tips indicating that the properties were being used as storage points for illicit items. After obtaining proper authorizations, inspection teams moved in and seized the goods on the spot.
The operation also underscores the government’s emphasis on maintaining public health and safety standards. Unregulated or illegally stored products can bypass quality controls, potentially endangering consumers, while simultaneously depriving the state of due tax revenues and licensing fees. Authorities stressed that such violations, particularly involving large quantities, would be met with strict penalties under existing laws.
This case has sparked renewed calls for tighter monitoring of residential and commercial spaces to prevent unlicensed sales and ensure compliance with the legal framework governing alcohol and tobacco in Oman. The department announced that investigations are ongoing to trace supply networks and identify any additional accomplices or distribution hubs connected to this cache.
