5 million amphetamine capsules seized, 11 held

JEDDAH: In one of the largest drug hauls in Saudi Arabia, security authorities in Riyadh have seized more than five million amphetamine capsules and arrested 11 people.
“The gang, comprising nine Saudis and two Sudanese, was about to hand over the contraband to their recipients in Riyadh,” Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman of the Interior Ministry, said.
A total of 5,173,000 amphetamine capsules, three grams of heroin, a machine gun and a pistol were seized from the smugglers, he said.
All those arrested have been referred to the competent authorities for completion of regulatory procedures, Maj. Gen. Al-Turki added.
In a related development, customs authorities at the Al-Haditha border crossing foiled attempts to smuggle 394,000 Captagon capsules hidden in two different vehicles, Ibrahim Al-Inizi, director-general of Al-Haditha Customs Center, said.
According to Al-Inizi, a private vehicle arrived at the border crossing and inspectors found 300,000 capsules hidden inside the tires of the vehicle during routine procedures.
Also, 94,000 Captagon capsules, wrapped in plastic bags, were found hidden in the dashboard of a truck, he said.
Smugglers try to bring in banned items that could harm the safety and health of individuals and the community, but the customs staff are always alert and foil such attempts, the official added.