RIYADH — Authorities in the Kingdom have foiled an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of drugs into the country, state news agency SPA reported Monday. Around 280,000 tablets of captagon, an amphetamine, and over 6.8 kg of avion were seized by the Tabuk Border Guard. A border guard on duty had spotted the trafficker, an Egyptian, after he crossed the Red Sea using diving equipment to help him swim the whole distance, Lt. Col. Misfer Al-Quraini, official spokesman of Tabuk Border Guard, was quoted by SPA as saying. Earlier this year in April, Lebanese authorities announced that they had seized more than 800,000 pills of captagon in coordination with Saudi authorities. Lebanon has previously stopped several shipments of captagon to Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia. Captagon is classified by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime as an "amphetamine-type stimulant" usually blends amphetamines, caffeine and other substances. Captagon or amphetamine drugs stimulate the central nervous system, increasing alertness, boosting concentration and physical performance.
