Saudi authorities thwart attempts to smuggle over 500kg of qat

Saudi border guards in the Jazan and Asir regions thwarted multiple attempts to smuggle qat into the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Authorities in Jazan’s governorate of Al-Daer foiled an attempt to smuggle 165kg of the narcotic plant, while in the nearby district of Al-Arda another 120kg was intercepted.

Border guards in Asir’s Al-Rabwa area thwarted the smuggling of 270kg of qat.

Preliminary legal procedures have been completed and the seized narcotics were handed to the relevant authorities.

The government has urged anyone with information related to suspected drug dealing or smuggling operations to call the confidential hotline 911 in Riyadh, Makkah and Eastern region, 999 across other regions in the Kingdom, or the General Directorate of Narcotic Control at 995 and 995@gdnc.gov.sa.