RIYADH — The Director of Public Security, Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Bassami, underscored the Saudi security agencies’ heavy-handed approach against drug traffickers and dealers and their determination to deal with resolve and force any attempt to target the Saudi youth and borders and destabilize national security.

Delivering a speech on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Al-Bassami explained that the world is going through rapid transformations at all levels, bringing new cross-border criminal methods, mainly illicit drug trafficking. He described drug misuse and abuse as the reason behind the majority of offenses committed, be they physical, financial, or even intellectual in nature.

Al-Bassami called for intensified cooperation at the international level to improve and innovate policing approaches to address transnational trade in illicit drugs, employing modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor drug traffickers and bring them to justice.

He also noted that the Kingdom has exerted tremendous efforts in protecting society from the illicit drug trade, citing in this regard the “tangible” outcomes of the security campaigns and the intensified crackdown against drug traffickers and dealers.

Al-Bassami called on citizens and all segments of society to be vigilant, exercise caution against the illicit drug trade, and support the security bodies’ efforts to eradicate drug trafficking and protect young people and society. — SPA