Saudi authorities have confiscated more than 1.4 million amphetamine pills concealed inside a rock-crushing machine in the Northern Borders Region, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. The operation, carried out by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC), is part of the Ministry of Interior's ongoing efforts to combat drug smuggling and trafficking targeting the Kingdom's security and youth.
Details of the Seizure
The GDNC said it seized 1,401,925 amphetamine pills hidden within machinery used for crushing rocks. Four suspects were arrested in connection with the shipment: a Jordanian resident believed to have transported the drugs and three Saudi citizens identified as the intended recipients. The ministry stated that its security agencies, working in coordination with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, will continue pursuing individuals and criminal networks attempting to smuggle narcotics into the Kingdom.
Broader Anti-Narcotics Campaign
This operation follows a series of major drug interdictions and cross-border security operations throughout June. Earlier this month, Saudi security cooperation with Lebanon helped foil an attempt to smuggle nearly 3.9 million amphetamine pills after intelligence provided by the GDNC enabled Lebanese authorities to intercept the shipment before it reached the Kingdom. In a separate operation, intelligence shared by Saudi authorities with the United Arab Emirates led to the dismantling of a criminal network and the seizure of 267,300 amphetamine pills, underscoring growing regional cooperation against cross-border narcotics trafficking.
Earlier June Operations
At the beginning of June, the GDNC also foiled an attempt to smuggle 845,087 amphetamine pills concealed inside cardboard sheets in the Eastern Region. Authorities later arrested the intended recipient, a Saudi citizen, in Taif governorate. Brig. Gen. Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub, the Ministry of Interior's security spokesman, has said the Kingdom remains committed to monitoring criminal organizations targeting Saudi Arabia with narcotics, disrupting their operations, and strengthening security cooperation with regional partners to protect society from drug trafficking.
Public Reporting Urged
Security authorities urged the public to report information related to drug smuggling or trafficking by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Region, 999 in other parts of the Kingdom, or through the GDNC hotline 995 or email [email protected]. They said all reports would be handled with strict confidentiality.
