Saudi authorities thwart two attempts to smuggle over 250,000 Captagon pills
Officers seized the substances hidden in a car and a truck attempting to enter the Kingdom via Al-Haditha Port
Updated 08 December 2023
Arab News
RIYADH:Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority thwarted two attempts to smuggle more than 250,000 Captagon pills.
Officers seized the substances hidden in a car and a truck attempting to enter the Kingdom via Al-Haditha Port, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The drug haul had an estimated street value of between $2.5 million and $6.25 million, according to research published in the International Addiction Review-Journal, based on the assumption that users pay between $10 and $25 per pill.
Authorities foiled the first attempt to smuggle 138,728 pills found hidden in wooden boxes inside a truck’s body. The second attempt saw 117,340 Captagon pills hidden inside a vehicle’s spare tire.
ZATCA said it was tightening customs control over the Kingdom’s imports and exports in coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, as authorities continue cracking down on drug smuggling operations.
Amphetamines are largely used by young men and teenage boys across the Middle East, and the money raised through the sale of all drugs often goes into funding organized crime and terrorism.
The Saudi government has urged anyone with information related to suspected smuggling operations or customs violations to call the confidential hotline 1910, the international number 00 966 114208417, or to email [email protected].
Tip-offs are treated with confidentiality, and financial rewards are offered if the information provided is correct.
Saudi meteorology center warns of heavy rain across Kingdom, public told to avoid flood-prone areas
Stay away from valleys and waterways at least until Thursday, Civil Defense cautions
National Center for Meteorology center warns of possible thunderstorms and dust storms
Updated 27 min 49 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has warned of thunderstorms across the Kingdom that could lead to flash floods, and officials cautioned the public against venturing in low-lying places prone to flooding.
In its weather forecast for Sunday, the meteorology center said “moderate to heavy thunderstorms are expected, leading to flash floods, accompanied by hail showers and active winds that will stir up dust and sand” in several provinces of the Kingdom.
These include Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, Madinah, Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, Jazan and parts of the Eastern Province. Light to moderate storms are expected in parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf and Tabuk, the NCM said.
In a separate advisory, the General Directorate of Civil Defense urged the public to avoid places prone to flash floods and valleys at least until December 18.
A lake forms in the desert following days of rain in Rafha city in the Northern Borders Province, near the Saudi border with Iraq. (SPA)
Since the past few days, various parts of Saudi Arabia had been blessed with light to moderate rain as full winter weather set in.
In separate reports, the Saudi Press Agency published images of beautiful landscapes that have emerged after being revitalized by rain.
Deserts rejuvenated
Among these are Al-Nafud (The Great Nafud Desert) in the Kingdom’s north, where moderate to heavy rainfall have “transformed the landscape, turning the golden sand dunes into stunning formations,” and also created streams and lakes.
Plants are beginning to sprout in Al-Nafud Desert after getting rain. (SPA)
“The cool weather has since made the Nafud a prime destination for desert and camping enthusiasts from inside and outside (Rafha) governorate,” SPA said.
Rain have also rejuvenated the Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, the Kingdom’s second-largest nature reserve, spanning parts of the Northern Borders, Hail, Qassim, Al-Jouf and Eastern Province.
In the Northern Borders province, the Wadi Arar has come alive, refilling the province’s 11 operational dams.
With streams flowing into Wadi Arar, dams in the Northern Borders province are being replenished. (SPA)
“The deserts of Arar City ... have become an enchanting destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts following recent rainfall. The resulting rainfalls have created a stunning scenery, with flowing streams winding through sand dunes and ravines,” SPA said.
Cool, verdant mountains
In Asir and adjacent provinces in the southwest, fog shrouding mountain peaks and the city of Abha have resulted in beautiful winter sceneries, attracting nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.
Abha city in Asir shrouded with fog as full winter weather sets in. (SPA)
Futher south in Najran province, days of rain have increased vegetation cover and revitalized the valley’s natural streams.
One of the foremost attractions is the Wadi Mughaydid on the slopes of the Sarawat range’s Maghra Mountains in northwest Najran, renowned for its pristine natural beauty.
Stretching 25 kilometers from Bir Askar Park to Shaab Baran, the valley’s unique geography combines verdant plains with towering mountains, making it an ideal destination for hiking and nature enthusiasts, according to SPA.
View of Wadi Mughaydid in Najran coming to life following days of rain. (SPA)
