Saudi Customs foils smuggling of 218,000 narcotic pills at Al-Batha border crossing
In another security achievement, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) at the Al-Batha border crossing thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of controlled medical pills, totaling 218,280 tablets. The authority reported that the pills were professionally concealed within a shipment of paints destined for the Kingdom.
The official spokesperson for the authority, Hamoud Al-Harbi, explained the details of the operation, noting that the shipment arrived at the port and, during routine customs procedures and inspection using advanced security technologies and live detection methods (police dogs), the prohibited pills were found hidden in compartments specifically designed for smuggling within the paint containers. The necessary procedures were immediately implemented, and coordination was established with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to ensure the arrest of those who would receive the shipment within the Kingdom.
General context: The ongoing war on drugs
This operation comes within the framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing national efforts to combat drug smuggling and trafficking, a comprehensive war aimed at protecting the security of society and the health of its members, especially young people, who are the primary target of smuggling networks. Customs ports—land, sea, and air—are the first line of defense against this scourge, and the state invests heavily in equipping them with the latest technologies and training their personnel to enhance vigilance and efficiency.
The importance of the strategic Al-Bathaa port
The Al-Batha border crossing, which connects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the United Arab Emirates, holds strategic importance as one of the busiest land crossings in the region. This high volume of trade makes it a constant target for smugglers who attempt to exploit the trade volume to conceal their illicit activities. Therefore, ZATCA (Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority) places particular emphasis on tightening controls and implementing the highest inspection standards at this vital crossing, resulting in frequent and significant seizures.
Local and regional impacts of the operation
Domestically, the success of this operation reinforces citizens' confidence in the security and customs authorities and their ability to protect the nation's borders. It also deals a significant blow to drug trafficking networks seeking to flood the local market with narcotics, aligning with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to build a vibrant and secure society. Regionally, thwarting such large shipments contributes to dismantling the supply lines of transnational organized crime networks and underscores the Kingdom's role as an active partner in maintaining the security and stability of the region.
Al-Harbi reiterated the ZATCA Authority's commitment to strengthening customs control over all imports and exports to the Kingdom and its unwavering stance against all smuggling attempts. He also called on everyone to contribute to these national efforts by reporting any information related to smuggling crimes through the dedicated security reporting number (1910), via email ( [email protected] ), or the international number (00966114208417). He emphasized that the Authority treats all reports with complete confidentiality and offers a financial reward to the informant if the information provided is accurate.
