Mishal Al-Otaibi Saudi Gazette RIYADH – Border Guard patrol teams foiled attempts to smuggle about six tons of hashish into the Kingdom over the past three months. They also arrested 1,641 drug traffickers and 75,763 infiltrators who tried to sneak into the country during the period, said a Border Guard spokesman. Releasing the statistics about the Border Guard operations during the period between Nov. 15, 2012 and Feb. 10, 2013, Brig. Gen. Muhammad Saad Al-Ghamdi also said 126,805 narcotic pills, 1,447 various firearms and 65,966 rounds of ammunition were seized in various border regions of the country in sea and land operations. The coast guards carried out 71 rescue operations and detected 111 violations of fishing regulations during the period. This is apart from humanitarian assistance provided by the guards to broken-down ships or providing first aid to injured sailors on board. The coast guards also help protect the country's coasts from pollution and create awareness among the public on the risks of drowning. Al-Ghamdi said his force relied on modern technology and well-prepared operation plans to secure the country's borders from infiltration. Director General of the Border Guards Lt. Gen. Zameem Al-Sawat commended the guidance and support his force received from Interior Minister Prince Muhammad Bin Naif to carry out the tasks. He said the force has upgraded electronic surveillance of the border by installing night vision cameras, vehicle-mounted monitoring equipment and surveillance towers.
