Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has thwarted an attempt to smuggle 932,980 Captagon pills hidden inside a Pomegranate shipment coming to Saudi Arabia via Duba port.

ZATCA said the Captagon pills were found inside the fruit cartons after the shipment was subjected to routine customs inspection using advanced security techniques.

On seizing the shipment, ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) to ensure the arrest of people who were to receive the drugs in Saudi Arabia.

The authority later confirmed the arrest of two people.

The authority warned that it would continue to tighten customs control over Saudi Arabia’s imports and exports and combat all smuggling attempts.

The authority urged the public to contribute to combating smuggling to protect society and the national economy by reaching out to the designated number for security reports (1910), via e-mail 1910@zatca.gov.sa, or over the international number 00966114208417.

ZATCA confirmed that it receives through these channels reports related to smuggling crimes and violations of the provisions of the unified customs system in complete confidentiality and that it grants a financial reward to the informer if the provided information turns out to be correct.