Saudi authorities thwart massive drug smuggling operation

The haul included over 293,402 Captagon pills and approximately 77 kgs of Hashish. (SPA)
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Updated 22 May 2023
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Saudi authorities thwart massive drug smuggling operation

  • The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority said it would continue to monitor imports and exports in the Kingdom
  • The haul included over 293,402 Captagon pills and approximately 77 kgs of Hashish.

RIYADH: Saudi authorities seized a multimillion dollar haul of Captagon tablets and Hashish that were found in two trucks entering the Kingdom on Monday.

The haul included over 293,402 Captagon pills and approximately 77 kgs of Hashish.

Authorities said in the first smuggle attempt, custom officials were able to seize 110,200 Captagon pills and 76.9 kgs of Hashish which were found in a tank of a vehicle entering the borders.

In the second attempt, custom officials seized 183,202 Captagon pills found in various parts of a truck entering the country. 

The drugs haul had an estimated street value of approximately between $2.9 million and $7.3 million according to research published in the International Addiction Review Journal, which said users pay in the range of $10-$25 a pill.

 

 

Amphetamines are largely used by young men and teenaged boys across the Middle East, and the money raised through the sale of all narcotics are usually ploughed back into the drug trade although some find their way into organized crime and terrorism.

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority said it would continue to monitor imports and exports in the Kingdom, while strictly imposing security to ensure the safety of the community.

The authorities also called on the public to help with the war on drugs to protect the community and the local economy by reporting any violations to the dedicated phone number (1910) or by email (zatca.gov.sa@1910) or through the international number (00966114208417). 

Through these channels, the authority can receive any leads on smuggling cases or violations. Any calls or emails remain completely anonymous and if claims are true monetary, prizes are awarded to those who report.

 

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Saudi defense chief rallies international support amid escalating Iranian strikes

Updated 12 March 2026
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Saudi defense chief rallies international support amid escalating Iranian strikes

  • Iran unleashes wave of drone strikes on Kingdom’s Eastern Province
  • Missiles fired at Prince Sultan Air Base intercepted, destroyed

RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held separate phone calls with his Turkish, Romanian, and South Korean counterparts as Iranian attacks on Gulf facilities continued on Thursday.

Iran escalated strikes on its Gulf neighbors in retaliation for ongoing US-Israeli attacks on Iranian territory. 

After a brief pause Wednesday, drone attacks on Saudi Arabia resumed at 9 p.m., targeting the Eastern Province and the Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter. All the drones were stopped, the Saudi Ministry of Defense confirmed.

Missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj were also intercepted and shot down, the ministry added.

In his call with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Prince Khalid reaffirmed commitment to joint security measures and condemned Iranian aggression. 

His conversation with Romanian counterpart Radu Miruta covered regional threats to global stability. 

A call with South Korea’s Ahn Gyu-back similarly focused on condemning Iran’s actions and reviewing the broader regional picture.

The crisis traces back to February 28, when US and Israeli forces struck Iran. Tehran has since targeted Gulf states and US-Israeli assets across the region.

Iran has also declared a blockade on energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas flows — sending commodity prices surging.