Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Authorities in Saudi Arabia have thwarted attempts to smuggle a huge haul of narcotic substances into the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

According to Capt. Muhammad Bin Khalid Al-Najidi, the spokesperson for the General Directorate for Narcotics Control, security officials carried out two separate operations after closely monitoring activities of criminal networks over a period of time. The operations led to the seizure of large quantities of amphetamine tablets, methamphetamine, and heroin.

The spokesperson said that the anti-narcotics forces busted a criminal cell in the capital, Riyadh, and arrested its members — a Saudi citizen and a resident — and seized more than 4.4 million amphetamine tablets that were hidden inside a mango shipment.

In another operation, a gang comprising three residents was apprehended in the Eastern Province and over 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and 5 kilograms of heroin were seized from them, he added.

Captain Al-Najidi said that a total of five individuals have been and necessary legal measures have been initiated against them.