Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi security authorities have arrested 20 drug smugglers in massive security operations carried out across the Kingdom within the last 24 hours. Those arrested include citizens and violators of border security regulations. The arrests were made in the regions of Tabuk, Asir, the Northern Borders, and Jazan, for their involvement in promoting or smuggling narcotics.

In the Tabuk region, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested six citizens and Egyptian residents for promoting hashish and amphetamine, in addition to pills subject to medical circulation regulations. In the Asir region, a citizen was arrested for promoting 8,000 pills subject to medical circulation regulations. In the Northern Borders region, two citizens were arrested for promoting hashish and amphetamine.

As part of efforts to combat cross-border smuggling attempts, Border Guard land patrols teams in the Dhahran Al-Janoub sector in the Asir region arrested five Ethiopian border security violators, who were in possession of 52 kilograms of hashish. Border Guard patrols in Al-Daer sector in the Jazan region also arrested four Ethiopian violators for smuggling 80 kilograms of khat, while security patrols in Al-Farsha governorate in the Asir region foiled an attempt to smuggle 28 kilograms of khat.

The security authorities confirmed that they had completed the initial legal procedures against those involved, and handed them over, along with the seized items, to the competent authorities. They were then referred to the Public Prosecution.

The authorities emphasized their continued pursuit of anyone who would threaten the security of society. They called upon citizens and residents to report any information they have about any activities related to drug smuggling or trafficking, by calling the numbers 911 in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and the number 999 in the rest of the Saudi regions. The information can also be passed to the General Directorate of Narcotic Control over the number 995, the authorities said while noting that all reports will be dealt with in complete confidentiality.