Saudi Arabia’s land, sea and air customs ports recorded 1,128 seizures of prohibited goods in one week, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) said.[1] The seized narcotics comprised 30 types, including hashish, cocaine, heroin, shabu and Captagon pills.[1]
The same weekly tally also counted 270 prohibited items, 845 tobacco products and derivatives, and 11 sums of undeclared money.[2] ZATCA said the interceptions came from intensified inspection and continuous monitoring across the Kingdom’s customs posts using X-ray scanners, sniffer dogs and trained staff.[1]
The authority said it was tightening customs control over imports and exports in coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control and other security agencies.[1] ZATCA called on citizens and residents to report smuggling crimes and violations of the unified customs law.[1] The authority said it receives all reports with complete confidentiality and offers a financial reward to informants when the information proves accurate.[1] ZATCA said tighter border control helps dry up cross-border smuggling networks and prevents the Kingdom being used as a transit route for contraband to neighbouring countries.[1]
