Saudi man arrested for peddling drugs in Mecca

Cairo: A Saudi citizen has been arrested for allegedly peddling drugs in the holy city of Mecca, a security official has said.

The man is suspected of having dealt in 10,000 methamphetamine drug pills, spokesperson for the Anti-Narcotics Department, said Captain Mohammed bin Khaled Al Najidi.

The suspect is being kept in police custody pending interrogation, according to the official.

In recent months, Saudi authorities have thwarted a string of drug smuggling attempts and trafficking in the country.

Last week, police said they had arrested in Riyadh a Saudi man over alleged peddling in 10,180 medically-controlled pills.

Drug offences are punishable by up to death in Saudi Arabia.