Saudi Arabia arrests 20 in nationwide drug smuggling crackdown

Dubai: In a massive nationwide drug smuggling crackdown, Saudi security forces have arrested 20 individuals across the Kingdom for their alleged involvement in drug smuggling and distribution over the past 24 hours, authorities said on Saturday.

The arrests took place in the regions of Tabuk, Asir, the Northern Borders, and Jazan.

Those detained include Saudi citizens as well as foreign nationals, some of whom were found to be in violation of border security regulations.

In Tabuk, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control apprehended six Saudi nationals, and two Egyptian residents accused of promoting hashish, amphetamines, and prescription pills subject to medical control laws.

In the Asir region, a Saudi citizen was arrested in possession of 8,000 such pills, while in the Northern Borders region, two citizens were detained for promoting hashish and amphetamines.

As part of intensified border security efforts, patrol units from the Border Guard in Dhahran Al Janoub, Asir region, arrested five Ethiopian nationals accused of smuggling 52kilos of hashish.

In Jazan, four more Ethiopian border violators were caught transporting 80 kilograms of khat, a plant with amphetamine-like effects. Another attempt to smuggle 28 kilograms of khat was intercepted by patrols also in the Asir region.

All suspects had undergone initial legal procedures and were referred to the Public Prosecution. Saudi officials reiterated their commitment to combating drug trafficking and urged the public to report any suspicious activity.

Residents can contact the authorities through emergency hotlines — 911 in Riyadh, Mecca, Medina, and the Eastern Province, and 999 elsewhere — or reach out to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control via 995. Officials assured that all tips would be treated with strict confidentiality.