Saudi authorities have made significant drug busts in separate operations around the kingdom, arresting 5 individuals and arresting large quantities of narcotics. In Riyadh, 3 Egyptian residents were arrested with 35 kg of hashish, 12,260 amphetamine tablets, and 24,991 prescription tablets. In Al-Baha, an Ethiopian national was caught trying to smuggle hashish while violating border security. In Al-Jouf, a Saudi citizen was arrested for selling door-to-door amphetamine tablets. All 5 suspects were referred to the Public Prosecution.
In addition, Border Guard land patrols in Jazan province frustrated attempts to smuggle qat from Yemen, seizing 160 kg in Al Aridhah governorate and 114 kg in Farasan governorate. No arrests were made in these cases.
The drug busts are part of a larger effort to combat drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia. Authorities note that amphetamines are widely used by young men and teenage boys in the Middle East, and the profits from drug sales often fund organized crime and terrorism.
More Read
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control has stimulated citizens and residents to record any information related to drug smuggling or selling to the authorities. The public can contact the directorate by calling 911 or 999, or by emailing 995@gdnc.gov.sa.
The drug tags are significant, with the 4.7 million Captagon tablets seized in Riyadh in May having a street value of up to $117.5 million. The authorities are working to disrupt the drug supply chain and combat drug-related crime. By encouraging the public to report any information related to drug smuggling or selling, the authorities desire to create a safer and healthier society. The efforts show the kingdom’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and ensuring public safety. The suspects, including Egyptian and Ethiopian nationals, were referred to the Public Prosecution.
By Arab news
