Drug crimes on the rise since 2016 — report

AMMAN — The number of drug-related crimes committed in Jordan during 2017 reached 13,950, constituting an increase of 2.42 per cent compared to the previous year, when 13,626 cases were recorded, according to the 2017 annual statistical report quoted by the Sisterhood Is Global Institute (SIGI).

Issued by the Criminal Information Department, the report indicated that 15 per cent of drugs crimes committed in 2017 were drug trafficking crimes (2,098 crimes), a 9 per cent increase compared to the number of drugs trafficking crimes committed in 2016 (1,924 crimes).

Cases of drug possession and use amounted for 85 per cent of the crimes, with 11,852 recorded cases. This marked a 1.3-per cent increase when compared with the 11,697 crimes of possession and use of drugs the previous year, the SIGI statement added.

The report also found that drug crimes committed by the unemployed decreased by 39.1 per cent, reaching 1,002 crimes, while students committed 344 crimes, a 55.9 per cent decrease compared to 2016. Juveniles were found guilty of 173 crimes, a 37 per cent decrease while drug crimes committed by foreigners (1,051 crimes) decreased by 32.8 per cent.

Regarding geographical distribution, the highest number of crimes was recorded in the capital (7,168 crimes), followed by the central region (2,893 crimes), the northern region (1,853 crimes), the region under the jurisdiction of the Royal Badia Forces (772 crimes), the Aqaba Governorate (662 crimes) and the southern region (602 crimes), the statement showed.