Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The government on Monday issued an order to arrest 30 suspects in the illegal production and smuggling of tobacco for sale in the local market, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Government Spokesperson, Jumana Ghneimat, announced.

She confirmed that the government had instructed the Customs Department and relevant security authorities to "take the necessary legal measures to arrest those suspected of involvement in the case, and coordinate with the concerned authorities to issue an order banning their travel."

Ghneimat denied that the son of one of the suspects in the case left the kingdom yesterday, as was reported by some media and social websites.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Omar Razzaz had ordered the formation of a ministerial committee, which he heads, to follow up on the tobacco manufacture and smuggling case "in order to find out all the details, speed up the procedures for the arrest of those involved and contain the issue."

The premier told the committee in its first meeting to coordinate with the concerned authorities, take the necessary measures and keep the public updated about the case, while emphasising the respect of the investigation procedures and not to affect its proceedings. Razzaz vowed "there is no impunity for a corrupt person, and no one is above the law."

The panel comprises, as members, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Ministers of Interior, Justice, State for Legal Affairs, Finance, State for Media Affairs and Industry, Trade and Supply.

Razzaz said that his government will fight all forms of financial and administrative corruption and protect public money, and is continuing to carry out its pledge to address all graft cases and files, vowing that "anyone found guilty of corruption will receive a fair trial."