RIYADH — Authorities arrested a gang that smuggled raw heroin into the Kingdom through United Arab Emirates, according to Interior Ministry spokesman.
The gang was busted while trying to smuggle a large quantity of raw heroin into the Kingdom by hiding it inside a truck transporting various goods. The truck driver, a Pakistani, was pulled over while on the way to Riyadh. Officers searched the truck and found five kilograms of raw heroin and 302 grams of crystal methamphetamine stashed inside the cabin.
With the cooperation of UAE authorities, customs officers foiled a second attempt by the same gang to smuggle drugs through Al-Bat'ha Border. Two kilograms and 599 grams of raw heroin were seized from the ceiling of the truck cabin and the Pakistani smuggler was arrested.
The total amount seized, which the gang tried to smuggle into the country through UAE, reached seven kilograms and 599 grams of raw heroin and 302 grams of crystal methamphetamine. The spokesman spoke highly of the efforts exerted by anti-drug officers in the country and the UAE, which helped in foiling the smuggling attempts.
Earlier this month, authorities beheaded a Pakistani man for heroin smuggling, the 13th prisoner from Pakistan to be executed in the Kingdom for drug trafficking since mid-October.
Sadruddin Saeedullah Khan was caught smuggling “a large amount of heroin,” the Interior Ministry said.
In addition to amphetamines and other drugs, Saudi authorities seized almost 18 kilograms (40 pounds) of raw heroin last year, according to the ministry.
