Saudi forces kill wanted fugitives in security operation in Qatif

Saudi Arabian forces have killed a number of wanted fugitives in a security operation in Qatif. (Shutterstock/File Photo)
Updated 12 May 2019
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Saudi forces kill wanted fugitives in security operation in Qatif

  • Fugitives were listed as wanted by the state security services
  • Follows foiled attacks in April

RIYADH: Saudi Arabian forces have killed a number of wanted fugitives in a security operation in Qatif, Eastern region, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A spokesman for the Presidency of the State Security said in a statement that it eliminated a terrorist cell composed of 8 people.

The statement said security authorities were able to uncover the existence of a newly-formed terrorist cell which was planning an attack on "vital installations" and its center of operations in a residential apartment in the Snab neighborhood of Tarot in the Qatif province.

Forces cordoned off the area at 10am local time on Saturday while ordering those inside to surrender. They failed to comply and opened fire on security officials, which led to security officials eliminating the assailants.

Investigations are still ongoing.

On April 21, Saudi authorities foiled an attempted terrorist attack on the General Directorate of Investigation’s Center in Al-Zulfi suburb around 250 km north of the capital Riyadh.

Earlier in April, the Presidency of State Security released names of two terrorists who were killed after targeting a checkpoint in the Eastern Province and said they were involved in past terror attacks in Al-Qatif.

 


Over 4.8m captagon pills found hidden in Jeddah charcoal shipment

Updated 09 January 2026
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Over 4.8m captagon pills found hidden in Jeddah charcoal shipment

  • Captagon is an addictive, amphetamine-type stimulant that is mass-produced in illicit factories

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority foiled an attempt to smuggle more than 4.8 million captagon pills through Jeddah’s port, hidden inside a shipment of charcoal.

The authority’s spokesperson Hamoud Al-Harbi said that a shipment arrived at the port, which, after being assessed by customs authorities, was found to contain a large amount of the illicit drug, hidden inside charcoal bags, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

After the pills were seized, the authority coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to ensure that the intended recipients were arrested.

Al-Harbi added that ZATCA is working to tighten customs control on Saudi imports and exports and stands ready to combat smuggling.

He called on members of the public to contribute to the fight against smuggling.

ZATCA may be contacted for security reports by phone from inside the Kingdom at 1910, outside the Kingdom at +9661910, or by email at [email protected].

The authority receives reports related to smuggling crimes and violations of the customs system in complete confidentiality and offers financial rewards to any reports that are accurate.

Captagon is an addictive, amphetamine-type stimulant that is mass-produced in illicit factories.

It is simple to produce compared to other narcotics, and drug smugglers have found a market for the substance in the Gulf states.

Syria under Bashar Assad was one of the largest producers of captagon in the region.

When his government was overthrown in December 2024, one of the first steps taken by the new President Ahmed Al-Sharaa was to crack down on the production of captagon in Syria.