Saudi customs officials thwarted seven attempts to smuggle more than 2.1 million amphetamine pills which were found hidden in consignments coming to the Kingdom through through Haditha Border Point. The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) said when the consignments were subjected to customs procedures and examination using technology and sniffer dogs, the drug pills were found hidden in various ways. The smugglers were confronted by the officers at the border point. The authority explained that in the first smuggling attempt, 467,441 pills were found hidden inside a cavity in one of the trucks crossing the border. The presence of mind by the Authority's staff has led to thwarting a second attempt. The smuggler concealed 566,279 pills in a consignment of flour bags. In the third attempt, 136,045 pills were found hidden inside the radiator of a truck. ZATCA added it has managed to thwart a fourth smuggling attempt, where 184,883 pills were found hidden in the refrigerator cavity of a truck cabin. In the fifth attempt, 473,255 pills were seized after the smuggler had hidden them in various parts of his truck. Meanwhile, 282,558 pills were found hidden in the floor of a truck and 26,744 pills were found hidden in caches in the front side of another truck. The authority clarified that after completing the seizure operations in coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) to ensure the arrest of the recipients of the consignments. As a result, 12 people were arrested. ZATCA confirmed that it is continuing to tighten customs control over the Kingdom's imports and exports, and is standing by in the face of attempts, to achieve one of the most important pillars of its security strategy, which is the protection of society from the drug menace. It reiterated the constant coordination to unify operations with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to contribute to the effectiveness of the methodology used between the two sides to combat narcotics smuggling in all its forms and types. The Authority has also called on everyone to contribute to combating smuggling and protecting the society and national economy by contacting the Authority's designated number for security reports (1910), e-mail ([email protected]), or by the international number (00966114208417). The Authority will treat reports related to smuggling crimes and violations of the Common Customs Law confidentially, and a financial reward will be given to the informer if the report is proved correct. — SPA
