Zatka seizes 965 drug and contraband smuggling cases in one week
As part of its ongoing efforts to protect the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its national economy, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced a new security achievement: the seizure of 965 smuggling cases across various land, sea, and air customs ports in just one week. These seizures underscore the high level of vigilance demonstrated by the Authority's staff and the vital role they play as the first line of defense for the nation's resources.
Details of seizures and prohibited materials
The authority revealed the diversity of substances smugglers attempted to bring into the Kingdom, including 114 types of highly dangerous narcotics such as hashish, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and Captagon pills, which target the minds of young people. The seizures were not limited to narcotics alone, but also included 437 other prohibited substances whose entry is banned by law for security, health, or commercial reasons.
In a related context, the customs teams succeeded in thwarting the smuggling of 1,950 types of tobacco and its derivatives, in an attempt to evade the imposed fees and taxes, in addition to seizing 10 cases related to the smuggling of sums of money (financial disclosure), and 3 cases of smuggling weapons and their supplies, which reflects the comprehensiveness of the control and the tightening of control over all imports.
National context and the war on drugs
These seizures are particularly significant within the context of the comprehensive security campaign led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the banner of "The War on Drugs." ZATCA works in close coordination with the Ministry of Interior, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, and other security agencies to disrupt smuggling routes and cut off the sources of these drugs before they reach members of society. The agency utilizes the latest security technologies, including X-ray scanning systems and K9 units, to ensure both accurate and rapid inspections.
Economic and social impact
The importance of these efforts extends beyond security to include protecting the national economy. Combating customs smuggling contributes to fair market competition, ensures consumer protection from counterfeit or adulterated goods, and secures sovereign revenues for the state. These published figures are a strong indicator of the efficiency of the Kingdom's customs system and its ability to counter the evolving methods employed by smugglers.
Call for community participation
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority reiterated its call to all members of society to contribute to these national efforts, emphasizing that every citizen is the first line of defense. The Authority urged everyone to report any suspected smuggling activities through its official channels, whether via the dedicated security hotline (1910), email ( [email protected] ), or the international number (009661910). The Authority guarantees complete confidentiality for informants and offers substantial financial rewards if the information provided is proven true, encouraging collaborative efforts in protecting the nation.
