Saudi Arabia Bans the Import and Selling of Calyx

Saudi Arabia Bans the Import and Selling of Calyx

The Saudi Minister of Interior, Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz has asked the relevant authorities in the Kingdom (the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Treasury, the Customs Departments, Ministry of Agriculture, and other official bodies) to take the necessary measures to ensure that the exchange and selling of calyx (the outer part of the flower, usually green and formed of several divisions called sepals, that protects the bud) is prohibited and any imports banned.

This latest decision comes after the Prince of the Eastern Region, Prince Mohammed bin Fahd requested the Ministry of Interior take action. This follows several investigations and tips from the Kingdom”s prosecution body that discovered that these seeds are being used to produce the illegal cannabis resin, hashish.

Saudi police forces became aware of the illegal use of calyx during a recent wave of arrests against foreign workers who were cultivating the cannabis plant in enclosed spaces and then extracting resin and selling it. In the Eastern Region alone, 25 cannabis plants ready to be harvested were uncovered. The Kingdom”s police moved in quickly and arrested all those involved who admitted their crime.

Officials from the Ministry of Interior have lauded the collaboration of various departments in its fight against illegal uses of calyx, noting the important role the Ministry of Agriculture has to play in this respect, by analysis seeds and grains used as animal fodder and ensuring their adherence to standards set by the Kingdom”s government.

In Saudi Arabia, calyx is used in bird shops as food for some species, especially goldfinch birds that are fed calyx to help them sing and fly for longer periods of time. A tour of Asharq Al Awsat in the bird market in Riyadh revealed the abundance of calyx on offer in a number of stalls, with an average price of 10 Saudi Riyals (approximately 2.5 dollars US) per kilogram. Despite being outlawed in many countries, calyx has been,until now, popular in Saudi Arabia. Some have even used &#34Indian calyx&#34 to grow extensive cannabis plants.

Dr. Abdullah Al Doss, member of the Agriculture Department at King Saud University, revealed that calyx has multiple uses; it can be used to extract fiber necessary for the production of jute, grow narcotics, and as food for animals. He added that calyx can be replaced by other common seeds to provide for birds and other animals Dr. Al Doss also said that the calyx currently exchanged in bird shops is identical to the one planted across Afghanistan to grow cannabis. For cannabis to grown, Dr Doss declared, it requires moderate temperatures and variable degrees of humidity, conditions which can be met across Saudi Arabia by using green houses and foreign labor expertise.

Legal Counselor and Member of the Public Prosecution Body, Mohammed Al Maksudi explained that security forces in the Kingdom work around the clock to ensure citizens are always safe. In the case of calyx, after it has been scientifically proven that the material adversely affects the human brain, it will be destroyed, and imports banned and calyx will be added to the list of harmful substances. Every day, the Counselor added, is a battle with harmful objects, especially those that target the Kingdom”s youth. A criminal gang had tried to smuggle a large amount of calyx into Saudi Arabia during the last Hajj (pilgrimage) season, but they were arrested and tried.

Saudis were used to feeding calyx to their birds, Veterinary Doctor Mansur Faris noted, because of their high protein content which increases the luster of their feathers and their reproductive prowess. As an energy food, it also enables birds to fly for longer distances. After the discovery of the negative effects calyx has on the central nervous system of human that might result in addiction, Faris added, an international resolution to prohibit its cultivation was issued.