Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA) intercepted three drug smuggling attempts at the King Fahd Causeway, Al-Haditha border crossing, and Duba Port, seizing over 220,000 prohibited pills hidden in vehicles and a passenger’s luggage.

In the first operation at the King Fahd Causeway, customs officials discovered 120,370 Captagon pills and 45,975 other prohibited pills concealed within the cavities of a vehicle's four doors.

The second attempt at Al-Haditha border crossing involved 21,011 Captagon pills hidden in a passenger’s clothing bag.

In the third incident at Duba Port, customs officers found 34,084 Captagon pills stashed inside the driver’s seat cavity of a truck arriving in Saudi Arabia.

Following the confiscations, ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to apprehend the recipients of the contraband inside the Kingdom. Two individuals were arrested in connection with the smuggling attempts.

ZATCA reaffirmed its commitment to stringent customs oversight on Saudi imports and exports to prevent smuggling and safeguard the community.

“We are dedicated to enhancing security and protecting society by combating attempts to smuggle harmful substances and other contraband,” ZATCA stated.

The authority urged citizens and residents to contribute to the fight against smuggling by reporting suspicious activities.