Saudi authorities bust khat smuggling operation

Legal measures have been taken against the smuggler. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 23 August 2021
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Saudi authorities bust khat smuggling operation

  • A citizen was arrested in possession of 37,667 amphetamine tablets and 2 kilograms of hashish

JEDDAH: Authorities in Jazan have arrested a Saudi citizen trying to smuggle 380 kilograms of the stimulant drug khat in his vehicle.
Abdulmajid Al-Kanaan, spokesman for the General Administration of Mujahideen, said that field patrols in Harub, Jazan, managed to arrest the man, who is in his thirties, thanks to a “proactive security follow-up of the activities of criminal networks involved in the smuggling of narcotic substances in the region.”
Legal measures have been taken against the smuggler, he added.
In May, security operations conducted by the Border Guards seized 25.4 tons of khat in the Jazan region and 16 people were arrested, all of whom are Yemeni nationals.

Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control said a citizen was arrested in Riyadh during a proactive security follow-up of the activities of criminal networks in the Kingdom.
Spokesman Maj. Mohammed Al-Nujaidi said authorities seized 37,667 amphetamine pills and 2 kilograms of hashish in his possession. Initial legal measures have been taken against him, and he has been referred to the Public Prosecution.


Taif festival celebrates Saudi Arabia’s literary icons

Updated 11 January 2026
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Taif festival celebrates Saudi Arabia’s literary icons

  • It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content

TAIF: A special section highlighting key Saudi literary figures forms part of the Writers and Readers Festival in Taif.

The area explores the lives of distinguished writers, poets, and authors who have shaped the Kingdom’s creative landscape, influencing literature, journalism, theater and intellectual thought.

It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the festival runs until Jan. 15 and features 42 prominent publishing houses from Saudi Arabia and overseas, offering visitors the chance to explore the latest works in literature, philosophy and general knowledge.

Meanwhile, the festival’s interactive murals section engages visitors with openwork art panels, allowing them to contribute to the city’s features and identity.

The murals depict Taif’s natural and historical landmarks, including Al-Hada Mountain, the Taif rose gardens, and traditional Hijazi palaces. Others are inspired by Souq Okaz, a historic literary and commercial center linked to the region’s poetic heritage.

Designed by a visual artist, they blend folk-inspired elements with imaginative expression, creating a collaborative experience that celebrates the city’s beauty and brings art closer to the public.