Cairo: Saudi authorities in conjunction with Kuwait had thwarted an attempt to smuggle nearly 3 million amphetamine drug tablets into the kingdom, a Saudi official said.
The haul of 2.9 million amphetamine tablets had been seized hidden into a shipment of marble and stone at the King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam in eastern Saudi Arabia, spokesman for the Saudi General Directorate of Narcotics Combat, Captain Mohammed Al Najidi added.
Coordination was conducted with customs authorities at the King Abdulaziz Port and competent agencies at the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry to uncover the smuggling bid, he said.
Legal procedures
Two Saudi citizens were arrested in connection with the attempt, according to Al Najidi. Preliminary legal procedures were taken against the two suspects, who were referred to public prosecution.
In recent months, Saudi authorities have thwarted a string of smuggling drugs attempts in the country.
Last December, Saudi anti-drug police had thwarted an attempt to smuggle 11.3 million amphetamine tablets inside a garlic shipment. The attempt involved a seven-member gang in Riyadh.
Drug offences are punishable by up to death in Saudi Arabia.
