Saudi authorities foil huge drug-smuggling plot

The General Directorate of Narcotics Control on Wednesday seized more than 1.8 million illegal amphetamine pills they found hidden in an underground storage facility at a farm in Sakaka, in Jouf Region.

A Yemeni and three Saudis were arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution in connection with the case, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The operation was just one of several targeting drug smugglers and dealers that were carried out by authorities across the Kingdom in recent days, resulting in a number of arrests and referrals to the Public Prosecution.

Border Guard land patrols in Jazan region’s Al-Ardah governorate foiled two attempts to smuggle 300 kilograms of qat, officials said.

And two people, one of whom is an Ethiopian resident of Jeddah, were arrested by officers from the General Directorate of Narcotics Control for attempting to sell hashish.

Saudi government officials urged anyone with information about suspected drug smuggling operations or customs violations to call a confidential hotline by dialing 1910 within the Kingdom or using the international number 00 966 114 208417, or to email 1910@zatca.gov.sa. All reported information is treated as strictly confidential. Financial rewards may be available for valid information.