Saudi Customs Foil Drug Smuggling Attempts

Saudi customs authorities announced the successful thwarting of three major drug smuggling attempts at various border crossings. The Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (Zatca) reported that these operations are part of an intensified crackdown on narcotics smugglers.

Details of the Smuggling Attempts

King Fahd Causeway

At the King Fahd Causeway, customs officials seized approximately 120,370 Captagon pills and 45,975 other prohibited pills. The contraband was hidden inside the cavities of a vehicle’s doors.

Haditha Crossing

At the Haditha border crossing with Jordan, 21,011 Captagon pills were discovered concealed in a traveller’s bag.

Duba Port

At the Red Sea Duba port, customs officials foiled an attempt to smuggle 34,084 Captagon pills, which were stashed inside the driver’s seat cavity of a truck arriving at the harbour.

Coordinated Efforts to Combat Smuggling

After intercepting the contraband, Zatca coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, leading to the arrest of two would-be recipients inside Saudi Arabia. This underscores the kingdom’s dedication to eradicating the narcotics trade.

Ongoing ‘War on Drugs’

Saudi Arabia has intensified its war on drugs, with recent months witnessing a series of major seizures:

• November: Authorities in Riyadh seized 2.4 million amphetamine tablets hidden in metal pipes. Two Syrian nationals were arrested.

• November: 11.9 million amphetamine tablets were confiscated at Jeddah port, hidden in gypsum board materials.

• October: Customs intercepted 2.4 million Captagon pills in Jeddah port, concealed in a shipment.