The Drug Combat Department in collaboration with the Customs Department in two separate incidents last week foiled attempts to smuggle 2.4 million narcotic pills. The attempts were foiled along two border posts in the northern part of the Kingdom. Drug Combat Department spokesman Maj. Ibrahim Abu Helayyil said on a tip off his department seized 2,141,000 narcotic pills in Tabuk. He said necessary arrangements were made to foil the attempt in coordination with the Customs Department. The alleged recipients of the pills were arrested in Jeddah, he said. In the second incident, the Drug Combat Department seized 261,000 Captagon tablets. Maj. Abu Helayyil said all arrested persons are being investigated by competent authorities. The Drug Combat Department is determined to forge ahead in combating this menace and arresting those who try to smuggle drugs into the Kingdom, he said. Psychiatrists have repeatedly warned against use of ephedrine and amphetamine. The latter is the main constituent of Captagon tablets and it is the most widespread in the society. A recent report has said that 48 percent of Captagon abusers might suffer a permanent mental disability. It also said that mixing the two substances leads to the abuser's insanity - Okaz __
