Despite every attempt by terrorist groups to undermine the stability of the region, particularly Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom's security forces have been successful in foiling such efforts, mainly by the terror organization, Hezbollah. Saudi security forces had recently succeeded in defeating several such attempts by Hezbollah to smuggle in Captagon pills. Speaking to Al-Riyadh Arabic daily, sister publication of Riyadh Daily, the Secretary General of the National Committee for Narcotics Control and Assistant Director General of Narcotics Control for Preventive Affairs, Abdulilah Mohammed Al-Sharif, confirmed that the source of such narcotic drugs as Captagon and cannabis were illegal factories in Syria and South Lebanon, operating with active support from Iranian organizations. Al-Sharif, who is a UN international expert, pointed out that the General Directorate of Narcotics Control had tipped off Turkish, Lebanese and Sudanese security authorities about such factories, leading to the unearthing of eight drug-manufacturing units producing large quantities of Captagon pills destined for Saudi Arabia. The NCNC Secretary General revealed that Hezbollah had specifically targeted the Kingdom after hiring a Bulgarian chemist to strengthen the efficacy of the pills to make them even more destructive to the youth. The Saudi security authorities coordinated with their Lebanese counterparts to apprehend the chemist, he said. Al-Sharif emphasized that Saudi security alertness was at the highest level, which had resulted in foiling several smuggling attempts to bring in drugs worth billions of Saudi riyals. He attributed most cannabis smuggling attempts from Yemen to Houthis, with as much as 114 tons of drugs seized during the past three years. Also over the past three years, the Security and Customs authorities confiscated more than 270 million Captagon pills, mostly from Hezbollah, targeting Saudi youth. Besides Hezbollah, Iran, the Houthis and other enemies of the nation were frequently targeting the Kingdom, he said. Al-Sharif urged citizens to be aware of the preparedness of the Saudi authorities and anti-drug bodies to fight whatever undermines the security and stability of the Kingdom. These efforts were based on four pillars of the national anti-drug program, Nebras – treatment, rehabilitation, international cooperation by means of global conventions, and compliance with international laws, coordination of efforts and exchange of information. The Kingdom is capable of deterring any attacks and smuggling attempts made by its enemies, he emphasized. Meanwhile, Security Spokesman General Mansour Al-Turki confirmed that Hezbollah had a role to play in drug-smuggling attempts, and in the process was trying to use terror against the Kingdom. Hezbollah has been classified as a terrorist organization by the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League, adding to its problems ever since its intervention in the Syrian war. The high costs of the Syrian war and the previous sanctions imposed against Iran, has led to Hezbollah resorting to various illegal means to finance its operations, with the largest share coming from drug trafficking.
