Saudi authorities swoop to make arrests for drug-related offenses
Updated 05 July 2023
SPA
JEDDAH: Authorities in the Kingdom have arrested several people across the country for drug-related offenses, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested five residents in Jeddah for possessing methamphetamine. Those detained included four Pakistani nationals and one Bangladeshi.
Police arrested a citizen in Jouf for possession of amphetamine, hashish, two firearms, and live ammunition, while the Criminal Investigation Department in Hail made an arrest for the trading of amphetamines.
Preliminary legal procedures have been completed and all seized narcotics handed over to the authorities. All those arrested have been referred to the Public Prosecution.
Suspected drug offenses can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Punishment for drug-related crimes in Saudi Arabia is severe, including long-term jail sentences and even execution.
Amphetamines are largely used by young men and teenage boys in the Middle East. The money raised through the sale of narcotics is usually plowed back into the drug trade, with some cash being used to finance organized crime and terrorism.
Experimental farm in Al-Lith looks into future of Saudi Arabian agriculture
Research initiative reflects strategic transformation
Updated 02 February 2026
SPA
JEDDAH: An experimental farm in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Lith Governorate is one of the research initiatives reflecting the strategic transformation taking place in the Kingdom’s agricultural sector.
The farm uses highly efficient, sustainable production models that combine scientific research with commercial application, contributing to strengthening the country’s food security system and the sustainability of water resources.
Located in the Ghumaiqa Center on an area of about 10 hectares, the cutting-edge farm is a testing platform for modern agricultural technologies that tackle the challenge of water scarcity.
The farm includes developed open fields and modern greenhouses, supported by smart irrigation encompassing drip and sprinkler irrigation alongside surface and subsurface technologies.
All the systems operate via smart controls that enable the monitoring of water consumption and ensure improved efficiency, thereby achieving a balance between agricultural production and water conservation.
The farm also uses treated and diluted low-salinity seawater.
It aims to diversify agricultural water sources, reduce reliance on freshwater, and open new horizons for agriculture in coastal and semi-arid environments.
A view of the experimental farm in Al-Lith. (SPA)
The project represents a promising investment opportunity in the field of smart agriculture, enabling the development of commercially scalable production models, particularly for high-value vegetables and fruits, while reducing operational costs associated with water and energy, enhancing the economic feasibility of future agricultural projects.
In addition, the project contributes to transferring and localizing agricultural expertise, supporting local food supply chains, and creating an attractive environment for agricultural investment.
This aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and enhances the efficiency of the private sector in adopting innovative agricultural solutions.
Yahya bin Abdulrahman Al-Mahabi, the director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture office in Al-Lith Governorate, told the Saudi Press Agency that the project represented the future of agriculture in the Kingdom.
He explained that the vision was based on investing in technology, enhancing the return on water per unit, and integrating scientific research with investment opportunities.
Al-Mahabi spoke of the experimental farm as a modern, scalable and replicable model applicable in several regions of the Kingdom, particularly in coastal environments.
Al-Mahabi highlighted the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s commitment to supporting distinctive projects that contributed to achieving food security while developing rural areas and enhancing agricultural production efficiency, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
