Saudi authorities seize over 700,000 amphetamine pills hidden in wardrobe shipment

Dubai: Saudi customs officials have intercepted more than 700,000 amphetamine pills concealed inside a shipment of wardrobes at Jeddah Islamic Port, in what authorities described as a major drug smuggling attempt.

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) said in a statement that a total of 732,015 amphetamine pills were discovered during routine inspection procedures using advanced scanning equipment.

Following the seizure, the authority coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, leading to the arrest of four suspects who were awaiting receipt of the shipment inside the Kingdom.

Hamoud Al Harbi, spokesman for ZATCA, said the operation reflects the authority’s ongoing efforts to enhance border security and prevent the flow of illicit substances into the country.

The authority reaffirmed its commitment to working with relevant security agencies to safeguard the community and called on the public to report any suspected smuggling activities. Informants may contact the authority through its confidential hotline at1910, by email at 1910@zatca.gov.sa, or via the international number +9661910. Tipsters may be eligible for financial rewards, the statement noted.

The seizure underscores Saudi Arabia’s intensified crackdown on amphetamine trafficking, as the country continues to grapple with growing attempts to smuggle the banned stimulant, commonly marketed in the region under the name Captagon.