Saudi authorities thwart massive Captagon smuggling attempt at Al-Haditha

ZATCA successfully thwarts an attempt to smuggle 406,395 Captagon pills concealed in a livestock shipment. (ZATCA)
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Updated 08 August 2025
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Saudi authorities thwart massive Captagon smuggling attempt at Al-Haditha

  • Over 400,000 pills seized hidden in livestock shipment
  • Border Guard also confiscated 100,800 pills in Jazan

RIYADH: The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority at Al-Haditha border crossing successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 406,395 amphetamine pills, under the brand name Captagon, concealed in a livestock shipment.

In an official statement posted on X on Friday ZATCA explained: “Upon customs procedures and inspection using security techniques and live equipment, the pills were found hidden inside the sheep’s fur.”

After the seizure, coordination was made with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to ensure the arrest of the intended recipients of the contraband in the Kingdom who were subsequently apprehended, added the authority.

ZATCA affirmed its commitment to tightening customs control over the Kingdom’s imports and exports and to confronting smuggling attempts.

This is in line with the most prominent pillars of its strategy, which is to enhance the security and protection of society by limiting attempts to smuggle such pests and other prohibited items.

The authority called on citizens and residents to contribute to combating smuggling and protect society and the national economy by contacting it on the dedicated security reporting number (1910), via email ([email protected]), or by calling the international number (009661910).

Through these channels, the authority receives information related to smuggling crimes and violations of the provisions of the Unified Customs Law with complete confidentiality, and a financial reward is granted to those providing the tip-off if the information provided is accurate.

Meanwhile the Border Guard land patrols in the Ad-Daer sector in Jazan region also thwarted the smuggling of 100,800 Captagon pills. The seized contraband handed over to the relevant authorities. 

Security authorities urged people to provide information they may have about smuggling by calling (911) in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, (999) and (994) in the rest of the Kingdom, or by calling the General Directorate of Narcotics Control’s reporting number (995), or by email ([email protected]). All reports will be handled with complete confidentiality.


Saudi outdoor skiing and hiking destination Trojena covered in snow

Updated 18 December 2025
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Saudi outdoor skiing and hiking destination Trojena covered in snow

  • The resort, located on Jebel Al-Lawz in Tabuk Province, reaches an elevation of up to 2,600 meters
  • National Center for Meteorology forecasts snow in northern parts of Riyadh region and Al-Qassim Province on Thursday

RIYADH: Snow blanketed parts of northern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, as cold weather and heavy rain affected several cities and other parts of the Kingdom.

Trojena, a mountain destination for hiking and skiing that is located on Jebel Al-Lawz in Tabuk Province and reaches an elevation of up to 2,600 meters, was covered in snow and experienced some light rainfall.

Light-to-moderate rain also fell in Bir Bin Hermas, Al-Ayinah, Ammar, and Shaqra and its suburbs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The National Center for Meteorology said there was a chance of more snow on Thursday in northern parts of Riyadh region and Al-Qassim Province, following the snowfall in Tabuk and Hail regions on Wednesday.