AL-HADITHA — In another major success against trafficking of drugs, officials at Al-Haditha checkpoint in the northern border Friday foiled attempts to smuggle two million narcotic pills concealed in the base of a refrigerator truck. Some of the pills were found wrapped in plastic bags and carefully tucked inside aerated water cans, officials said.
Zayed Bin Atallah Al-Zayed, Director General of Al-Haditha Customs Department, said his vigilant officials spotted the haul even as the drugs were prudently hidden under the lower part of the truck.
He said the customs officials are well-trained to foil all shrewd attempts by smugglers to hoodwink them. Authorities announced in April that SR1.7 billion worth of narcotics were seized and 681 people arrested for drug smuggling and trafficking over a four-month period.
Of those arrested 96 were Saudis and 585 belonged to 33 nationalities. Twenty officers were injured in 43 operations against drug smugglers during this period.
Besides narcotics, authorities also seized SR16.73 million in cash from the smugglers.
Authorities maintain that education and family supervision are important factors to save young people from slipping into drug addiction.
