AN Interior Ministry official has urged the public to report any security-related information to the Al Adeid programme, saying that maintaining a partnership with the community is essential to achieving security in any country. Lieutenant Naif al-Mannai was speaking during a security exhibition to ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ at the Villagio Mall. He hailed the programme as a “success”, saying that information from the public has helped in the detection of many crimes, including drug dealing, wine production and other illicit practices. “The programme so far has been successful beyond expectations. We have received valuable tips from the public, which led us to detect various crimes,” he said. Al-Mannai said that the programme, which was launched last March, is part of an Interior Ministry strategy to engage the community in maintaining security. “We have provided many channels through which residents can send in information … whether by making a free to 494-7888 or sending an SMS to the number 2994 or via the e-mail [email protected],” he said. The official also reassured about ensuring the anonymity for those submitting information to the programme. “The policy is not to ask about the identity of the caller or investigate the motives led him to report such information. “We just investigate the information and check its reliability through our information system. We do not even try to track any call or SMS,” he said. Captain Ibrahim al-Sameeh, who is the secretary of the permanent committee for the drugs and intoxicants affairs, said that the police have seized 4.211kg of opium and 521kg of marijuana in 2007. Al-Sameeh also said that 74kg of marijuana has already been seized till May this year. Earlier, the Staff Major General Saad bin Jassem al-Khulaifi, the director of the public security, inaugurated the weeklong-security exhibition at Villagio Mall. Maj Gen al-Khulaifi, who is also the head of the permanent committee for the drugs and intoxicants affairs, said that the exhibition seeks to raise awareness on the dangers of drugs as well as observe the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on June 26. “Qatar is part of the international community. We do not spare any effort to support the international initiatives and implement any international anti-drugs agreements,” he said. GT

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar