A specialized criminal court in Hadramaut province has issued harsh sentences in two separate drug-related cases, including two death penalties.

On Monday, June 3, 2024, the court ruled that Salem Ahmed Mohammed Ba'Omar and Hussein Abdullah Hussein Al-Ammari be executed by either sword or shooting. The court also ordered the confiscation of all seized contraband for the public treasury and the destruction of the drugs under the supervision of the prosecution.

In a separate case, the court sentenced Ahmed Omar Ismail Ali to 25 years in prison for drug-related charges. This sentence also included the confiscation of seized items and the destruction of drugs under the supervision of the prosecution.

The severity of these sentences reflects the growing concern over drug trafficking in Hadramaut. The province has seen a significant increase in drug proliferation over the past five years, prompting security forces to launch numerous campaigns targeting smugglers and traffickers.

Security agencies in Hadramaut regularly announce the arrest of networks involved in drug trafficking, consumption, and even local production. These networks are often found to be targeting young people and citizens with their illicit substances.

In response to the growing drug threat, the Yemeni Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the Ministry of Awqaf and Guidance and other government agencies, has launched awareness campaigns aimed at educating the public about the dangers of drug use. The government recognizes the widespread nature of the problem and its potential to harm the entire society.