Saudi Customs Records 1,078 Contraband Seizures in a Week

Saudi customs authorities recorded 1,078 contraband seizures at the Kingdom's land, sea, and air ports during the past week, as part of ongoing enforcement efforts by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) to protect the country's borders.

The seizures included 107 narcotics-related cases involving substances such as hashish, cocaine, heroin, crystal meth, and Captagon pills. Authorities also recorded around 402 to 420 other prohibited items, covering various banned materials and products that are not permitted to enter the Kingdom.

During the same period, customs ports foiled attempts to smuggle 2,024 tobacco products and derivatives. Officers also handled 30 cash-related cases involving different forms of undeclared or prohibited cash, along with 2 weapon-related cases involving weapons and associated equipment.

Why it matters

These weekly figures are part of a continuous campaign at all Saudi ports aimed at preventing narcotics, prohibited materials, tobacco products, undeclared cash, and weapons from entering the country. For residents and travelers alike, the results are a reminder to comply with customs rules, including declaring cash above permitted limits and avoiding banned goods.

No official public information is currently available specifying exact fines or penalties or detailed procedures for handling such incidents through government platforms. Travelers are advised to review customs regulations before arriving in the Kingdom to avoid violations.

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