Manama: Saudi land and sea border patrols have foiled attempts to smuggle 888 kilograms of hashish and 389 weapons in one month.
The patrols also seized more than 217,000 kilograms of qat, the narcotic plant with effects similar to those of amphetamines, 151,000 narcotic pills, and 13,825 rounds of live ammunition from August 8 – September 5.
Border Guard spokesman Brigadier Mohammad Bin Sa’ad Al Gamdi said that 258 smugglers had been arrested in the various operations, local news site Sabq reported on Monday.
The patrols also detained 20,317 people who tried to enter the kingdom illegally in the same period. Most of the infiltrators tried to cross into the vast kingdom from the southern borders despite repeated warnings from the Saudi authorities about stringent action against citizens who offered assistance to the mainly African foreigners, either by transporting them or offering them shelter.
Two border guards were injured in the operations, Al Gamdi said.
