Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — An attempt to smuggle more than 1.7 kg of cocaine into Saudi Arabia was foiled by authorities at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Friday, the Zakat, Tax and Customs (GAZT) Authority the drug was hidden in one of the parcels imported to the Kingdom through the airport

The authority pointed out that during a routine inspection, an officer suspected the contents of the parcel and upon using x-rayed machines it was found that the cocaine was meticulously placed in a compartment specially made for smuggling inside a bag.

After the seizure of the drug, the recipient of the parcel was also arrested in coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, the authority said.

the coordination process with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control was completed to take measures that ensure the arrest of its recipients inside the Kingdom, and with the grace of God, the receiver was seized in the Kingdom.

The authority called on everyone to contribute to efforts being made to combat smuggling to protect society and the national economy by contacting the 1910 number designated for security reports (1910) or via e-mail zatca.gov.sa@1910 or the international number 00966114208417.

Earlier this week, GAZT officials at Jeddah Islamic Port seized 4.5 million Captagon pills, which were hidden in a consignment of imported oranges.