Mishal Al-Otaibi Saudi Gazette RIYADH — The security forces have arrested as many as 1,309 people in drug related offenses during the last six months, Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, security spokesman at the Ministry of Interior, announced on Tuesday. The arrested people included 453 Saudis and 853 foreigners belonging to 35 nationalities. Huge quantities of drugs and weapons were seized from them. Al-Turki said the arrested people were found involved in smuggling, selling and receiving narcotics. Two drug smugglers were killed and nine others injured during armed confrontation with the security forces. One security official was also killed while 25 others sustained injuries in the attack from the drug smugglers and dealers. The seized drugs included 11.66 million amphetamine capsules, 12 tons of hashish, 13 kilo raw heroin and 188 grams of heroin ready for sale. A total of 703 weapons, including 52 machine guns, 584 revolvers, 67 guns and 28,460 live ammunition, in addition to SR16.92 million currencies were also seized. The security authorities had arrested 928 drug smugglers and dealers during the first four months of the Hijri year.
