The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has foiled three attempts to smuggle 651,909 Captagon pills and other controlled medicines concealed in consignments inbound to the Kingdom through several customs ports.
The Authority announced that the first smuggling attempt involved 93,750 controlled medicines hidden in a truck inbound through Duba Port. The second attempt involved 356,559 controlled medicines at Jeddah Islamic Port. The pills were hidden in a consignment of various goods passing through the port. The Authority also thwarted a third attempt of smuggling 201,600 Captagon pills at Haditha Port, which were found hidden in the cavity of one a truck passing through the port.
ZATCA reported upon the seizure, the officers coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to ensure the arrest of the recipients of the seized illicit drugs inside Saudi Arabia. Seven individuals were arrested.
ZATCA spares no effort to tighten its grip over the Kingdom's imports and exports. The Authority vows to ever be vigilant against any smuggling attempts in order to realize its goal for strengthening the security and protecting society against these harmful substances.
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 and follows up 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.