Muscat: Amidst a tightening crackdown on illegal immigrants in Oman, the Royal Oman Police have foiled a human trafficking attempt and arrested 13 people without residency papers.
“Working on a tip-off we have arrested two people who were trying to smuggle six women into the country,” a spokesperson for the police said. The six women were traveling in a vehicle after entering the country illegally.
“The driver of the vehicle and an accomplice have been held and will be produced before the court on charges of human trafficking,” he added. The six women have also been taken into custody. He added that the accomplice was watching the route and guiding them to enter the country illegally.
In another incident, a police patrol in Dhahirah region stopped a bus carrying 13 expatriate of Asian origin and all of them were without valid residency papers. “They have been arrested and will be produced in court for further action,” the police spokesperson said.
The Royal Oman Police have urged citizens and residents in the country to cooperate with the authorities and report illegal immigrants to police by calling 9999. Meanwhile, the ROP coastguards rescued a merchant ship off Oman’s southern coast near Mirbat town after the ship flying the flag of the Comoros experienced engine failure closer to the coast.
