The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) succeeded in foiling 7 attempts to smuggle 112,493 Captagon pills hidden within vehicles entering the Kingdom via the Al Hadithah and Durra Ports.
ZATCA stated that the Captagon pills were seized during carrying out the customs procedures and inspections of several vehicles using security technologies and K9 units (police dogs). The illegal pills were hidden in various ways. ZATCA successfully foiled 4 attempts to smuggle at the Durra Port, where the first attempt involved smuggling 5,742 pills hidden in the fire extinguisher compartments of a vehicle and the second one involved smuggling 5,731 pills in the same way. Subsequently, the third attempt to smuggle 10,000 pills hidden inside an engine was also foiled. In the fourth attempt, the Durra Port successfully foiled the smuggling of 36,274 pills found hidden in various parts of a vehicle. .
Additionally, ZATCA successfully foiled 3 attempts to smuggle at the Al Hadithah Port. The illegal 16,580 pills were hidden inside the fuel tank filter of a vehicle, where 23,630 pills were hidden in a vehicle entering through the Port. Furthermore, 14,536 pills were hidden in passengers' shoes arriving in the Kingdom through the Al Hadithah Port. Following the seizure process, coordination with the General Directorate for Narcotics Control (GDNC) was made to ensure the arrest of the recipients of the seized items, and this coordination led to arresting one recipient within the Kingdom, added ZATCA.
ZATCA reaffirmed that it spares no effort to tighten its grip over the Kingdom's imports and exports. ZATCA vows to ever be vigilant against any smuggling attempts in order to realize its strategic pillars, focusing on strengthening security and protecting society by curbing attempts to smuggle such harmful substances and other prohibited items.
ZATCA has urged the public to contribute to the combat smuggling to protect both society and the national economy. Individuals are invited to report any smuggling activities by contacting ZATCA through the designated security report number (1910), via email at 1910@zatca.gov.sa, or the international number 00966114208417. ZATCA emphasizes that all reports received through these channels will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. ZATCA is committed to addressing reports related to smuggling crimes and violations of the Common Customs Law. In addition, a financial reward will be provided to whistleblowers if the reported information is confirmed to be accurate.
