ZATCA foils attempt to smuggle 310,000 Captagon pills through Jeddah port
JEDDAH — The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) thwarted an attempt to smuggle 310,000 Captagon pills, a form of amphetamine, into Saudi Arabia through Jeddah Islamic Port.
ZATCA spokesperson Hamoud Al-Harbi said the illicit pills were discovered hidden in various compartments of a vehicle arriving at the port.
Upon uncovering the concealed shipment, ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, leading to the arrest of eight individuals believed to be linked to the case.
Al-Harbi reaffirmed the authority's commitment to tightening customs control across Saudi Arabia's entry points, emphasizing that such efforts are vital to protecting society from the dangers of drug trafficking.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
2 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia marks World Day Against Trafficking in Persons with sweeping reforms and global partnerships
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Dr. Hala Al-Tuwaijri, President of Saudi Arabia's Human Rights Commission and Chair of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons, affirmed on Tuesday that the Kingdom has established an integrated system to combat trafficking in persons, rooted in comprehensive reforms and institutional measures aligned with international best practices. Speaking on the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Al-Tuwaijri highlighted that the Kingdom's ongoing efforts are a direct extension of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the continuous support of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. Among the key milestones cited was the establishment of the General Department for Community Security and Anti-Trafficking, affiliated with Public Security, which aims to eliminate trafficking crimes and strengthen social safety and security. Al-Tuwaijri noted that Saudi Arabia has bolstered its legislative and regulatory framework by ratifying the National Policy to Eliminate Forced Labor, and implementing amendments to various laws and regulations that protect victims, whistleblowers, witnesses, and experts involved in anti-trafficking cases. She emphasized that the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons is focused on achieving long-term impact through the implementation of the National Action Plan, the development of a national referral mechanism, the approval of crime indicator guidelines, and the creation of a comprehensive national initiatives are supported by both local and international partnerships, including the Victim Support Fund launched in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).On the prevention front, Al-Tuwaijri revealed that Saudi Arabia has adopted a capacity-building approach, delivering nearly 120 specialized training programs involving over 9,500 participants from both public and private also pointed to key public awareness campaigns, such as 'Together to Combat Human Trafficking,' self-paced learning initiatives, and community awareness assessments, as well as support for academic research to deepen understanding and drive innovation in combating Kingdom has also intensified victim protection measures, developing mechanisms to identify victims and provide them with appropriate support in coordination with relevant agencies, ensuring rapid response and Al-Tuwaijri concluded by reaffirming the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to promoting human rights and combating human trafficking through a unified, institutional stated that Saudi Arabia has become a regional model in this field, setting a benchmark for others in terms of policy, protection, and international cooperation.
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Citizen, Syrian expat publicly named over commercial concealment in Riyadh
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce has publicly named a Saudi citizen and a Syrian resident following a final court ruling that found them guilty of engaging in commercial concealment involving the sale of restaurant equipment in Riyadh. According to the ministry, the Saudi national had unlawfully enabled the Syrian expat to run commercial operations under his business license. The expat was granted full control over the establishment, managing its operations and transactions for personal gain in violation of the Anti-Concealment Law. Investigations revealed solid evidence of the violation, including the expat signing contracts, supervising workers, handling purchases and sales, collecting revenues from the illicit business activity, and covering business expenses and rent. The Criminal Court in Riyadh issued a final verdict that includes the public naming of both individuals, a shared fine of SR20,000, the cancellation of the commercial registration, revocation of the license, liquidation of the business, and payment of all due taxes, zakat, and fees. The court also barred both individuals from engaging in commercial activity and ordered the deportation of the Syrian expat, with a permanent ban on returning to work in the Kingdom. The Ministry of Commerce reminded the public that under the Anti-Concealment Law, violators face penalties of up to five years in prison, fines of up to SR5 million, and the confiscation of illicit funds once a final court ruling is issued.
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia arrests over 22,000 violators of residency, labor, and border security laws
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — In a week-long series of joint field operations, Saudi authorities arrested approximately 22,500 individuals for violating residency, labor, and border security laws across the Kingdom. The operations led to the detention of 13,800 people for violating residency regulations, 5,200 for breaching border security rules, and 3,400 for labor law violations. The Ministry of Interior's statement confirmed that 1,687 individuals were caught attempting to cross into Saudi Arabia illegally, with 38% of them being Yemeni nationals, 61% Ethiopian nationals, and 1% from other countries. Additionally, 40 individuals were arrested for attempting to illegally exit the Kingdom, and 15 people were detained for involvement in the illegal employment and housing of violators. Currently, 18,300 violators are undergoing enforcement procedures, including 15,700 men and 2,500 women. The Ministry also confirmed the deportation of 11,000 individuals, while 11,000 more have been referred to diplomatic missions for travel document processing and 3,200 are awaiting flight Ministry warned that anyone facilitating the entry, transport, or sheltering of violators faces severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to one million riyals, the confiscation of vehicles and housing used for sheltering violators, and public Ministry emphasized that such offenses are considered major crimes and urged citizens to report violations to the designated hotline numbers: 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 and 996 in the remaining regions.
