Authorities at Jeddah Islamic Port seized 58.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, known as shabu, concealed inside a shipment of men's shoes in August 2026. Three people inside the Kingdom who were designated to receive the consignment were later arrested.
The narcotics were uncovered during a routine customs inspection. Officers relied on advanced security screening technologies and trained detection methods, including sniffer dogs, to flag the shipment. Although the goods were declared as men's shoes and had moved through standard clearance procedures, inspectors identified anomalies that prompted them to open the footwear, revealing the drugs hidden inside shoe cavities.
Following the seizure, customs officials coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to monitor the shipment and arrest its intended recipients. Three individuals inside Saudi Arabia were taken into custody as the designated recipients.
Methamphetamine is treated as a strictly prohibited narcotic under Saudi anti-drug and customs regulations. Such substances are not subject to any customs duties, zakat, or tax schedules; instead, they fall under criminal penalties reserved for banned materials.
The operation highlights the ongoing efforts to protect communities across the Kingdom from the harms of illegal drugs, and underlines how everyday shipments passing through the country's ports are subject to careful scrutiny. For residents and expats alike, the case is a reminder of the severe legal consequences attached to any involvement with prohibited narcotics.
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