JEDDAH: Anti-narcotics teams in Riyadh seized 680,000 methamphetamine pills in two separate operations over the past two days and arrested five people for their involvement in the smuggling and trading in drugs.
On a tip-off that a large quantity of drug pills were in the process of being distributed in Riyadh, an Anti-Narcotics Department team raided the location, arresting three people and hauling up over 424,000 amphetamine pills that were hidden in cavities of metal objects.
Those arrested included three Saudi nationals and two Syrians.
In another operation, anti-narcotics officials arrested two Syrian nationals who were found in possession of a coffee grinding equipment in which 257,200 pills of methamphetamine were hidden.
The King Abdulaziz International Airport customs officials meanwhile foiled six attempts this week to smuggle drugs, including more than two kilograms of heroin, according to a senior airport official.
The drugs were being transported on Monday by three persons who came into the Kingdom through the airport.
Some of the drugs were hidden in capsules that were extracted from the stomach of one of the smugglers, some were found in a cavity in one traveler’s shoes and others were stowed in a food box in one of the smuggler’s bags.
Director General of Customs at King Abdulaziz Airport Bandar Al-Rehaily said that the department also aborted an attempt to smuggle more than 24,000 Captagon pills that were found hidden under one passenger’s belt. The pills had been concealed under black bags.
Al-Rehaily added that 317 grams of cocaine were retrieved from a passenger’s stomach.
Customs officers also foiled an attempt to smuggle 1.951 kilograms of the banned shabow (methamphetamine) found hidden in one passenger’s bag.
Al-Rehaily said that the foiled attempts are proof of the Saudi Customs’ relentless efforts to prevent the entry of all prohibited materials into the Kingdom.
Earlier on Jan. 19, the anti-narcotics teams in Riyadh had arrested eight members of a cell, of different nationalities, found in possession of 400,000 pills of methamphetamine.
Drug smuggling bids foiled in Jeddah, Riyadh
Drug smuggling bids foiled in Jeddah, Riyadh
Economic growth and resilience at heart of 2nd AlUla Emerging Market Economies Conference
- Event on Feb. 8 and 9 will bring together ministers, governors of central banks, policymakers, economic experts and international financial institutions
- Emerging-market economies a ‘pivotal element’ in global economic system due to effect they have on growth and stability, says Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan
RIYADH: The second annual AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, which Saudi Arabia will host next week, offers a platform to exchange views on global developments and discuss policies and reforms that support inclusive growth and strengthen economic resilience, the Kingdom’s finance minister said.
The event on Feb. 8 and 9 will bring together finance ministers, governors of central banks and policymakers, alongside economic experts and representatives of international financial institutions.
Organized by the Saudi Ministry of Finance in partnership with the International Monetary Fund, it takes place as emerging-market economies face mounting challenges amid rapid global economic change.
Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said the decision to host the conference reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to efforts that support global financial and economic stability, and highlights the growing influence of emerging economies on worldwide growth.
Emerging-market economies represent a “pivotal element” in the global economic system due to the direct impact they have on economic growth and stability, he added.
“The AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies provides a unique platform for exchanging views on global economic developments, and discussing policies and reforms that will support inclusive growth and enhance economic resilience, in light of broader international cooperation that contributes to confronting common challenges,” Al-Jadaan said.
Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF, said the event would help emerging economies deal with growing uncertainty driven by technological change, demographic shifts and geopolitical tensions.
“The AlUla conference provides a vital platform for emerging economies to discuss how they can navigate the risks and embrace the opportunities ahead,” she said.
“In these times of sweeping transformations in the global economy, policymakers face a more challenging and uncertain environment. Countries should work together to strengthen resilience through sound macroeconomic and financial policies.”
