Saudi customs foil smuggling of over 400,000 amphetamine pills hidden in sheep wool

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced it had intercepted an attempt to smuggle 406,395 amphetamine pills, known locally as Captagon, through Al Haditha border crossing.

The contraband was discovered in a shipment declared as live sheep arriving from abroad. Upon inspection using advanced security technology and sniffer dogs, customs officers found the narcotics concealed within the animals’ wool, the authority said in a statement.

Following the seizure, ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, leading to the arrest of three suspects inside the Kingdom believed to be the intended recipients.

The authority reiterated its commitment to maintaining tight customs oversight on imports and exports to block illicit drugs and other contraband from entering the country. 

ZATCA also urged the public to assist in combating smuggling by reporting suspicious activities through its dedicated security hotline (1910), email (1910@zatca.gov.sa), or international contact number (+9661910). The authority noted that informants may be eligible for a financial reward if their information proves accurate.