Saudi authorities bust khat smuggling operation

Legal measures have been taken against the smuggler. (Shutterstock)
Short Url
Updated 23 August 2021
Follow

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.


Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

Updated 23 December 2025
Follow

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.