JEDDAH: The police have seized large quantities of banned snuff, known as Shammah, in a raid on a factory in downtown Jeddah. A number of foreigners were arrested. Shammah is made from tobacco, lime, ash, black pepper, certain oils and other flavorings, proven to cause cancer. It is used either through the nose or the mouth. The raid and arrests were confirmed by Brig. Gen. Misfer Al-Ju'aid, the Jeddah Police spokesperson. “The foreigners running the factory were arrested and police confiscated tens of kilos and molds stuffed with the substance.” The raid occurred after police received information that persons of Arab nationality were behaving suspiciously in Al-Sabeel District. Investigating teams were immediately sent to verify the information. It was initially difficult for the police to determine what type of illegal activities were taking place. The investigators, conducting surveillance around-the-clock, saw that the suspects, who were not from the area, were carrying bags thought to contain Shammah. Police set up checkpoints in the area and eventually stopped and searched a man coming from the factory, who was found to have Shammah in his possession. The suspect confessed and said he intended to sell the substance to Arab nationals in the north of Jeddah. Police raided the location with Jeddah Police Administrator Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Ghamdi following-up. The persons working in the factory wore old and dirty clothes and were walking over the ingredients strewn on the house floor. Those arrested admitted they were making Shammah.
