Saudi officials foil attempt to smuggle cocaine

Dubai: Saudi customs officials at Jeddah Islamic Port have intercepted an attempt to smuggle nearly 29 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a shipment of frozen meat, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced Friday.

According to Hamoud Al Harbi, a spokesman for ZATCA, the shipment arrived at the port and was subjected to routine customs procedures.

Using security screening technology and trained sniffer dogs, inspectors uncovered 28.9 kilograms of the illicit drug hidden within the consignment.

Al Harbi said that ZATCA is committed to tightening customs controls on imports and exports, a core element of its strategy to protect society from narcotics and other contraband.

He urged the public to assist in combating smuggling by reporting suspicious activity through the authority’s hotline (1910), email (1910@zatca.gov.sa), or international number (+9661910).

All tips, he added, are handled with strict confidentiality, and verified reports may qualify the informant for a monetary reward.