Saudi Arabia’s Narcotics Control seize over 2M amphetamine pills hidden in floor mops 

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The pills were hidden inside cleaning mops. (SPA)
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The pills were hidden inside cleaning mops. (SPA)
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Updated 17 August 2022
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Saudi Arabia’s Narcotics Control seize over 2M amphetamine pills hidden in floor mops 

  • A Syrian resident who had arranged for the drugs to be delivered to him was arrested

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s narcotics control department seized 2,250,000 amphetamine pills hidden in a shipment of cleaning mops that were being smuggled through the Jeddah Islamic Port, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Wednesday. 

Users of the substance pay from $10 to $25 a pill according to research by the International Addiction Review journal, that puts the street value of this latest haul at a massive $22.5m to $56.2m.

A Syrian resident who had arranged for the drugs to be delivered to him was arrested, according to the official spokesman of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, Major Muhammad Al-Nujaidi. 




Users of the substance pay from $10 to $25 a pill according to research by the International Addiction Review journal, that puts the street value of this latest haul at a massive $22.5m to $56.2m. (SPA)

The man has been referred to the Public Prosecution, the spokesman said. 

The Kingdom’s authorities said they have been cracking down on attempts to smuggle drugs into and out of the country to ensure the public’s safety. 


Board of Grievances unveils judicial intelligence hackathon to foster innovation

Updated 28 December 2025
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Board of Grievances unveils judicial intelligence hackathon to foster innovation

  • Registration opens on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, and continues through Jan. 20, 2026

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Board of Grievances has opened registration for the Judicial Intelligence Hackathon, the institution’s first competition seeking sustainable solutions that harness cutting-edge technology to improve the efficiency of judicial procedures, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Registration opens on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, and continues through Jan. 20, 2026, as part of efforts to cultivate talent and promote innovation in digital transformation and artificial intelligence in the judicial sector.

The board is calling on industry experts, experienced professionals, and university students to form teams of three to five members. Each team must be led by a Saudi citizen or academic staff member at least 18 years old.

Participants register via a dedicated portal on the board’s digital platform and must submit a preliminary proposal demonstrating practical and legal viability, incorporating advanced technology with appropriate quality standards, and showing innovation relevant to the board's operations with transformative impact and long-term sustainability.

Competition unfolds in two distinct tracks. The first addresses AI applications and creative solutions for administrative justice, tackling challenges such as minimizing procedural errors and offenses during virtual court proceedings and streamlining lawsuit filing classifications.

The second track emphasizes digital innovation enhancing user journeys, focusing on simplifying document submission processes when initiating lawsuits and developing accessibility solutions enabling seniors and people with disabilities to navigate board services more effectively.

Finalists are scheduled to be announced on Jan. 23, 2026, followed by virtual project discussion and presentation sessions on Jan. 28. 

According to the SPA, this methodology for sourcing innovative concepts underscores the dedication of the board’s leadership to advance performance across judicial chambers and administrative divisions while pursuing strategic goals of refining administrative court litigation processes, expediting case resolutions, and establishing competitive leadership in the judicial arena.