RIYADH — Within the framework of Saudi-Syrian intelligence and security cooperation, the Syrian Anti-Narcotics Department is coordinating closely with the Saudi authorities to curb drug smuggling, according to Al-Arabiya.net. Anwar Abdul-Hay, an official in the Syrian Anti-Narcotics Department, said that the Saudi-Syrian coordination has been instrumental in foiling the smuggling of hundreds of thousands of tons of contraband and narcotics. The report noted that the Saudi Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, provided its counterpart agency in Syria with security information related to the activities of criminal networks involved in drug smuggling. This information led to the Syrian Ministry of Interior's thwarting of an attempt to smuggle more than 200,000 amphetamine pills recently. Anwar Abdul-Hay emphasized the need for coordination with Saudi Arabia. "We are coordinating as if we were part of one security agency," he said while highlighting the existing high level of communication with Riyadh. Abdul-Hay also pointed out the exchange of expertise with Saudi Arabia in the field of drug control, emphasizing that his country coordinates with all neighboring countries to exchange information. He also explained that smuggling networks in Syria had been operating under the patronage of the former regime. Saudi Arabia and Syria are making ongoing efforts to crack down on drug dealers and traffickers. These efforts have resulted in foiling attempts to smuggle hundreds of thousands of narcotics over the past months. With the aim of developing the security system in Syria, the Saudi Ministry of Interior hosted a security delegation from Syria last April to learn about the experience of Saudi security agencies and benefit from their advanced expertise in security fields. Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif also met his Syrian counterpart Anas Khattab in Jeddah on June 2 to discuss prospects for cooperation in security fields, including combating terrorism, organized crime, and border guards. They discussed ways to strengthen bilateral security cooperation as well as enhancing coordination in combating drugs, and exchanging information and expertise.
