Saudi authorities thwart attempt to smuggle millions of Captagon pills hidden in boxes of oranges

Saudi authorities thwart attempt to smuggle millions of Captagon pills hidden in boxes of oranges. (Courtesy: Customs authority)
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Updated 30 June 2021
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Saudi authorities thwart attempt to smuggle millions of Captagon pills hidden in boxes of oranges

RIYADH: Saudi Customs foiled an attempt to smuggle over 4.5 million Captagon pills that were found hidden inside a shipment of oranges through the port of Jeddah.

Authorities on state TV said Wednesday that the boxes full of oranges were examined by x-ray machines and showed that a large amount of Captagon pills were hidden under the fruit inside the boxes.

The report did not mention the origin of the narcotics.

Saudi authorities announced on Saturday the seizure of 14.4 million amphetamine pills from Lebanon, hidden in shipment of iron plates. In April, they said they discovered 5.3 million such pills hidden in pomegranate shipments from Lebanon. 

 

(with Reuters)


Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

Updated 57 min 38 sec ago
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Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

MUSCAT: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi on Monday.

They reviewed bilateral relations between their nations and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields. Additionally, they discussed regional and international developments.

The ministers co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council in the Omani capital, Muscat, with the participation of the heads of the Council’s subsidiary committees and the two heads of the Council’s General Secretariat teams.

The meeting comes as an affirmation of the keenness of Saudi and Omani leaders to strengthen ties and advance them toward greater prosperity for both nations.

In his remarks during the meeting, Prince Faisal affirmed that gathering builds on the previous council meeting, held last year in AlUla, and on its positive and fruitful outcomes within the framework of the approved recommendations and initiatives. 

He stressed the importance of continuing the work of the council’s subsidiary committees to complete the necessary procedures to implement the remaining initiatives, and of the General Secretariat’s role in follow-up and in addressing any challenges that may hinder implementation.

He also underscored the importance of developing and enhancing trade relations, stimulating investment, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.

He also praised the ongoing work to establish and launch the Coordination Council’s electronic platform, which aims to connect all committee work and initiatives to facilitate follow-up on the Council’s progress. 

Al-Busaidi affirmed in his remarks the qualitative progress in relations between the two countries and the notable development witnessed across numerous sectors toward achieving economic integration and enhancing intra-trade and joint investments. 

The Omani foreign minister also highlighted deeper cooperation in the security and judicial fields, as well as the cultural and tourism sectors, noting the advanced and continuous political cooperation, consultation, and coordination on regional and international issues.