Special forces raid in Ruwaished leads to arrest of wanted drug dealer

AMMAN — Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of a wanted suspected drug dealer following a raid conducted by a special force earlier in the day, according to official sources.

The suspect, named by police as Ayed Ghayiath, was one of eight men featured in a wanted list by the Public Security Directorate (PSD) on January 25, Police Spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi said.

“The suspect is tied to a regional gang that specialises in drug trafficking and smuggling,” Sartawi told The Jordan Times.

Ghayiath’s arrest resulted from a long intelligence operation that “resulted in locating his whereabouts and arresting him following a raid in Manshiet Ghayiath area in Ruwaished without any major incident”, Sartawi said.

The 43-year-old suspect is wanted in 14 cases related to exporting and trafficking illegal narcotics in cooperation with international and regional gangs, according to a statement by the PSD.

The suspect is also wanted on charges of firing live ammunition and forming evil groups, the PSD statement added.

Officers who arrested Ghayiath found ammunition and an automatic weapon in his possession, according to the PSD statement.

The suspect was referred to the State Security Court prosecutor for questioning and indictment, according to a judicial source. 

Sartawi stressed that investigations are ongoing and “we will continue to hunt the rest of the wanted suspects”. 

Ayed Ghayiath was the second wanted suspect arrested since police published a wanted person list in January.

On February 29, police announced the arrest of one of the eight wanted suspects who police described as armed and dangerous criminals.

Security experts had told The Jordan Times recently that publishing photos and names of wanted alleged drug dealers was a message that the Kingdom is serious about combating illegal narcotics smuggling through its borders.

The wanted suspects, who have multiple SSC convictions in absentia against them, were described by police as very active, armed and extremely dangerous, according to police officials.

The suspects are all hiding near the desert borders and “pose threats to the national security and stability”.

The PSD has warned against aiding, abetting, or dealing with these dangerous wanted suspects and called on the public to cooperate with the security authorities and report any information about them and their criminal activities.