RIYADH: The Interior Ministry has disclosed that 1,776 people were arrested last year for drug-related crimes, including smuggling and distribution.
There were 467 suspects nabbed over a three-month period for their involvement in receiving and selling narcotics. These included 177 Saudis and 290 foreigners from 29 countries.
A source at the ministry said there was 3.3 million amphetamine pills and over 4 tons of hashish seized over the period.
Meanwhile, Col. Salman Al-Nashwan, spokesman of the Anti-Narcotics Directorate, said no Saudi woman has ever been arrested on charges of drug trafficking.
He said that some Saudi women were being used by their husbands or guardian to divert attention away from their criminal activities. Saudi men crossed the border with drugs often accompanied by their female relatives and children, he said.
Nashwan said these women no nothing about their relatives’ smuggling operations. The directorate works with customs officials at all border crossings, he said.
1,176 arrested for drug crimes in 2015
1,176 arrested for drug crimes in 2015
Historic Jeddah records over 2m visits
- The remarkable turnout highlights the activity within the UNESCO-listed site, also known as Al-Balad, with its alleys and historic squares
JEDDAH: Historic Jeddah continues to flourish as one of Saudi Arabia’s premier cultural and heritage destinations, recording over 2 million visits in the first half of Ramadan.
The surge reflects the district’s vibrant and diverse activities, and the growing appeal of its Ramadan events that blend the authenticity of the place with the spirit of the season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The remarkable turnout highlights the activity within the UNESCO-listed site, also known as Al-Balad, with its alleys and historic squares.
There has been a continuous flow of visitors exploring longstanding architectural landmarks and traditional marketplaces including Souq Al-Alawi, Bab Makkah Souq, and Al-Balad.
In these areas commerce intertwines with handicraft displays and storytelling, creating a cultural experience that reflects the place’s unique character and rich historical memory.
