Captagon smuggling foiled at Al-Haditha border crossing | 154,000 pills seized
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues its tireless efforts to protect the security of its society and firmly confront attempts to target its youth. The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has achieved a new security success by thwarting a Captagon smuggling attempt at one of its most important land border crossings. Specifically, customs authorities at the Al-Haditha border crossing intercepted a massive quantity of 154,108 amphetamine pills, known locally and internationally as Captagon, which were professionally concealed within a shipment arriving in the Kingdom.
The official spokesperson for the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, Hamoud Al-Harbi, explained the details of this meticulous operation, noting that a customs shipment of tents arrived at the Al-Haditha border crossing. During routine customs procedures and inspection using modern security technologies and live detection methods (police dogs), a large quantity of narcotic pills was discovered carefully concealed within the shipment's cavities, reflecting the vigilance and professionalism of the customs officers.
The Kingdom's efforts in thwarting Captagon smuggling and securing the borders
The Al-Haditha border crossing is one of the largest and most important land crossings in the Middle East, serving as a vital trade artery connecting the Kingdom with the Levant and Europe. Historically, organized crime gangs and transnational drug networks have sought to exploit this strategic location to traffic their illicit substances. The successive thwarting of Captagon smuggling attempts underscore the high level of preparedness of Saudi authorities in combating this scourge, which has targeted the region intensively over the past decade. The Captagon trade has become a regional security challenge requiring constant vigilance and the continuous development of surveillance technologies.
Disappearing those who received the seized goods inside Saudi Arabia
The operation didn't stop at the customs checkpoint; it extended to dismantling the network involved within the country. Al-Harbi added that after the successful seizure, immediate and high-level coordination took place with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control. This joint security coordination aimed to apprehend those involved and ensure the arrest of those receiving the seized drugs within the Kingdom. These integrated efforts resulted in the arrest of five individuals involved in receiving these narcotics, dealing a significant blow to the criminal networks running these operations.
Security and economic dimensions of control operations
Such preemptive strikes are of paramount importance and have a profound impact on several levels. Domestically, these achievements contribute to protecting Saudi youth and society from the devastating health and social harms of drugs, and preserve family stability. Regionally and internationally, thwarting these massive drug shipments cuts off supply and funding lines for organized crime gangs that rely on the financial proceeds of the drug trade to fund other illicit activities, thus reinforcing the Kingdom's position as an active international partner in the global war on drugs.
The role of society in combating drugs
The official spokesperson for the General Authority of Customs (GAC) affirmed that ZATCA, through all its land, sea, and air customs ports, is resolutely committed to tightening customs control over all imports and exports to the Kingdom. The Authority remains vigilant against all smuggling attempts, in line with one of the key pillars of its strategy: enhancing the security and protection of society.
In closing, Al-Harbi extended an open invitation to everyone to actively contribute to combating smuggling in order to protect society and the national economy. He urged citizens and residents to contact the Authority via the dedicated security reporting hotline (1910), by email ([email protected]), or by calling the international number (009661910). The Authority guarantees that reports related to smuggling crimes and violations of the Unified Customs Law will be received with complete confidentiality, and a substantial financial reward will be offered to the informant if the information is proven true, thus reinforcing the principle of community partnership in maintaining security.
