The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has successfully thwarted an attempt for smuggling more than 12 million Captagon pills found concealed inside a shipment received to Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP).

According to ZATCA, the seizure was carried out after the cocoa shipment was screened via customs and uncovered by port security measures. After being cleverly concealed among the cocoa beans, that many Captagon pills were discovered in the shipment.

After the attempt had been thwarted, the recipients inside the Kingdom were arrested in collaboration with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC), added ZATCA.

In last August, the Authority stopped two efforts to bring a huge quantity of Captagon pills into the Kingdom through the JIP. In the first effort, almost 8.7 million Captagon pills were discovered in the cocoa shipment, while in the second attempt, 1.6 million pills were discovered in the truck's floor.

ZATCA confirmed that it continues to tighten customs control over the Kingdom's imports and exports; it further lies in wait for the smugglers, to realize a pillar, foremost, of its strategy, namely the security and protection of the society. ZATCA also affirmed its pursue to join forces with the GDNC to contribute to the effectiveness of the methodology used between the two sides, for the purpose of combating drug smuggling in all its forms and types.

At the same time, the Authority has called on everyone to contribute to combating smuggling and protecting the society and national economy by reaching out to the Authority's number designated for security reports (1910), via e-mail 1910@zatca.gov.sa or by the international number (00966114208417). The Authority, through these channels, receives reports related to smuggling crimes and violations of the Common Customs Law at strict confidence, with a financial reward given to the whistleblower if the reported information is proven correct.

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