JEDDAH — The Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has thwarted 4 attempts to smuggle 1,505,813 Captagon pills at Al-Haditha port, which were found hidden in trucks that arrived in the Kingdom through the port.

The authority explained that several trucks arrived in the Kingdom through the Al-Haditha port, and during the inspection process through security techniques and live means, "sniffer dogs", the port authorities discovered quantities of Captagon pills hidden in different ways.

The authority revealed that in the first attempt they thwarted an attempt to smuggle 250,000 pills hidden in a truck, while the other smuggling attempt was thwarted and the authorities seized a quantity amounting to 326,744 pills.

The authority added that another attempt to smuggle 618,604 Captagon pills hidden in separate parts of a truck, was also thwarted, in addition to thwarting another attempt to smuggle 310,465 Captagon pills hidden in caches specially prepared for the purpose of smuggling in a truck.

The authority explained that four individuals were arrested after coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, to ensure the arrest of all culprits involved in the smuggling operation of the seized items.

ZATCA confirmed that it continues to tighten customs control over the Kingdom's imports and exports. It is standing against the attempts of smugglers to achieve one of the essential pillars of its strategy represented in the security and protection of society. The authority has also confirmed its determination to unify and enhance its efforts along with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to combat drug smuggling in all its forms and types.

The authority has called on everyone to contribute to combating smuggling to protect society and the national economy by reaching out to the designated number for security reports (1910) or via e-mail 1910@zatca.gov.sa or the international number (00966114208417), where the Authority, through these channels, receives reports related to smuggling crimes and violations of the provisions of the unified customs system, in strict confidentiality, with a financial reward given to the whistleblower if the information is correct. — SPA