RIYADH: Saudi authorities have apprehended a number of individuals involved in the narcotics trade across several parts of the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Border guards in Jazan province seized 195 kilograms of qat in Al-Ardah, while six individuals, five Yemenis and a Saudi, were detained after attempting to sell 29 kilograms in Riyadh province.
An Ethiopian national was also arrested for trying to smuggle Amphetamine pills in Al-Baha province.
Captagon pills are frequently seized by Saudi border guards as smugglers target the Kingdom for distribution.
A new Arab News documentary looks at efforts by Saudi authorities to combat the production, trade and use of the dangerous drug that is popular with the young.
“Abu Hilalain: Inside the Kingdom’s Crackdown on Captagon,” which was recently screen in London, also investigates Captagon’s impact on society.
“Abu Hilalain,” which in Arabic means “father of the two crescent moons,” is a street name for Captagon, adopted as the yellow pills are typically embossed with two crescents.
Now a $57-billion industry, the Captagon trade is no longer a problem limited to the Arab region.
Authorities called on citizens and residents to report any information they might discover about drug smuggling or selling operations by immediately calling the emergency number 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Alternatively, they can call the General Directorate of Narcotics Control on 995. In addition, information can be reported via email sent to [email protected].
All information that is received will be treated with complete confidentiality.
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