Drug mafia ‘out to destroy security and stability’

RIYADH: Terrorism and drugs are the two main threats to the stability and security of the country, according to the National Anti-Drug Commission (Nibras).
Nibras President Abdulilah Al-Sharif said that the Kingdom’s growing status in the region and globally has made it a target for terrorists and drug dealers, according to a local media report on Monday.
Al-Sharif made the comments recently at a forum for public security workers, which forms part of Nibras’ community related work to raise awareness about these issues.
He said the Kingdom has carried out a great deal of initiatives to counter all forms of terrorism. There have also been several preemptive operations carried out to foil attacks, with many perpetrators arrested, charged and brought to trial.
Al-Sharif said the Kingdom has also been facing a major onslaught from drug traffickers, who have been intent on destroying Islam and the lives of the country’s young men and women.
On this front, the security forces have been able to successfully counter many attempts to smuggle drugs across the country’s borders. The security agencies under the Interior Ministry have been working with several organizations, including Saudi Basic Industries Corporation to tackle this scourge. Nibras has eight programs running to raise awareness about such issues, he was quoted as saying.
Ahmad Al-Zahrani, director general of the drug control directorate, said the Kingdom is being targeted by people who are intent on involving young people in crime and drugs. The country was tackling this with a two-pronged approach, which involves security efforts and prevention programs.
He said security and customs agencies had confiscated more than 164 million Captagon pills over the past two years. In addition, it seized more than 67 tons of hashish, and arrested 53,000 people for drug-related offenses over the same period, he was quoted as saying by a local newspaper.
In February, Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG) Nibras signed a partnership to fight the drugs menace. The ceremony was attended by SRMG Managing Director Azzam Al-Dakhil, several SRMG executives and representatives of Nibras at the body’s premises.
Al-Dakhil had stressed that fighting the spread of drugs was a religious and national duty.
He said the initiative was part of the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, deputy premier and interior minister, who is also president of Nibras.