ZATCA seizes 862 drug and weapons smuggling cases in one week

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As part of its ongoing efforts to protect national and economic security, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) revealed the results of its monitoring operations during the past week. Its personnel at various land, sea, and air customs ports successfully intercepted 862 smuggling attempts. These results reflect the high level of vigilance and complete readiness of the Authority to stand as a bulwark against attempts to bring contraband into the Kingdom.

Variety of seized items and prohibited materials

The authority explained in its statement that the security operations resulted in the seizure of a wide range of prohibited substances, including 33 types of highly dangerous narcotics, such as hashish, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, Captagon pills, and other psychoactive substances targeting various segments of society. In addition to narcotics, the list included the seizure of 124 types of prohibited substances that are banned from entering the Kingdom for security, health, or commercial reasons.

The seizures were not limited to drugs, but extended to include thwarting the smuggling of 853 cases related to tobacco and its derivatives, in an attempt to evade the imposed fees and taxes, in addition to seizing 9 cases related to smuggling sums of money (financial disclosure), and one case related to smuggling weapons and their supplies, which confirms the comprehensiveness and accuracy of customs control.

The first line of defense and protection of the economy

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) is considered the first line of defense for the Kingdom's security and economy. Since the merger of the two entities, ZATCA has worked to develop its technological and human resources, utilizing the latest X-ray scanning equipment and live detection methods (police dogs) to uncover smuggled goods, no matter how sophisticated the methods of concealment. These efforts align with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which focuses on enhancing community security and providing a safe and pollution-free environment.

These seizures play a pivotal role in protecting the national economy; combating smuggling not only protects society from the harms of drugs, but also contributes to preventing the entry of counterfeit and adulterated goods, and ensures the collection of due customs and tax duties, which enhances fair competition in the local market and protects compliant traders.

Corporate social responsibility and reporting channels

The authority affirmed its commitment to maintaining strict customs control over all imports and exports, emphasizing that community security is a red line that cannot be compromised. In this context, ZATCA called upon all citizens and residents to actively participate in this security system, considering security to be everyone's responsibility.

Everyone can contribute to combating smuggling and protecting the homeland by reporting any suspicions through the designated official channels, which guarantee complete confidentiality for the informant:

The number designated for security reports: 1910
Email: [email protected]
International number: 009661910

To encourage this national role, the Authority offers generous financial rewards to informants if the information contained in the report is proven to be true, which enhances the spirit of cooperation between the community and the security services.