Jeddah Port Foils 58.6 kg Meth Smuggling Attempt

Customs officers at Jeddah Islamic Port foiled an attempt to smuggle 58.6 kilograms of methamphetamine (shabu) that were hidden inside a shipment of men's shoes arriving through the port, in an operation carried out by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.

Inspectors uncovered the narcotics during routine customs procedures with the help of security screening technologies and specialized K9 units, which detected the drugs concealed in cavities carved into the shoes.

Following the seizure, the Authority coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to track the intended recipients inside the Kingdom. The joint effort led to the arrest of three individuals connected to the shipment.

How to report smuggling

The Authority urged the public in Saudi Arabia to report smuggling crimes or violations of the Unified Customs Law through the security hotline 1910, the email 1910@zatca.gov.sa, or the international number +9661910. Reports can help authorities intercept illegal shipments before they reach communities.

Narcotics smuggling is classified as a serious crime in Saudi Arabia, with the maximum penalty for smugglers being death. Other narcotics offenses may carry imprisonment, lashes, and fines, with harsher penalties for repeat offenders.

The Authority said it continues to apply enhanced inspection measures at land, sea, and air ports across the Kingdom, relying on advanced security technologies and specialized teams to detect narcotics such as methamphetamine, Captagon, hashish, cocaine, and other drugs.

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