RIYADH — Statistics released by the Border Guard showed the force was able to foil a number of attempts to smuggle arms, drugs and infiltrators into the Kingdom during the last Hijri year. In 1433AH, the force seized 2,475 weapons of different caliber, 16 RGBs, 189,265 rounds of live ammunition, one bomb and 70 tons of fire works. In addition, 260 people were rescued along the Kingdom's coast lines. The force also seized 28,499 kilograms of hashish, 753,693 narcotic pills and 2,955,101 kilograms of ghat. It arrested 338,637 infiltrators and 4,986 smugglers during the period. The statistics covered all nine operational sectors. Spokesman for the Border Guard Brig. Mohammad Al-Ghamdi said the force used the latest technology in securing the country's borders. Zameem Al-Siwat, director general of the force, said his men had the full support of Prince Muhammad Bin Nayef, the Minister of the Interior, in carrying out their mission. He said there were 143 encounters last year in which three officers were killed and 10 others injured. The Chief of the Border Guard's Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Enezi, said drug running is a major problem that have a negative effect on families and his force is determined to develop plans to combat the menace. The acting chief of the guard in Makkah province, Maj. Gen. Badr Al-Jabri, said the force use boats with advanced monitoring equipment operated by specialized personnel to carry out its mission. Maj. Gen. Ayedh Al-Beqmi, acting chief of the guard in the Eastern Province, said there is continuous cooperation with the Gulf states and it has realized great results. He said the guard also assists boats in distress, conducts rescue operations and helps preserve the coastlines from pollution.
