Saudi authorities seize multimillion-dollar drug haul

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority thwarted an attempt to smuggle 416,250 Captagon pills hidden in a curtain shipment.

The pills were seized at Jeddah Islamic Port, the Saudi News Agency reported.

#ارقد_وآمن | #الزكاة_والضريبة_والجمارك في ميناء جدة الإسلامي تُحبط محاولة تهريب 416,250 حبة كبتاجون، عُثر عليها مخبأة في إرسالية وردت إلى المملكة عبر الميناء عبارة عن “ستائر”.
| https://t.co/DQnodTel9r#زاتكا pic.twitter.com/aYDxbm39fC

— هيئة الزكاة والضريبة والجمارك (@Zatca_sa) November 24, 2023

The drug haul had an estimated street value of between $4 million and $10.4 million, according to research published in the International Addiction Review-Journal, based on the assumption that users pay between $10 and $25 per pill.

ZATCA said it was tightening customs control over the Kingdom’s imports and exports in coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, as authorities continue cracking down on drug smuggling operations.

Amphetamines are largely used by young men and teenage boys across the Middle East, and the money raised through the sale of all drugs often goes into funding organized crime and terrorism.

The Saudi government has urged anyone with information related to suspected smuggling operations or customs violations to call the confidential hotline 1910, the international number 00 966 114208417, or to email [email protected].

Tip-offs are treated with confidentiality, and financial rewards are offered if the information provided is correct.