Saudi Customs, under the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), announced on September 19, 2025, the interception of four major smuggling attempts involving over 261,000 amphetamine pills and nearly 10 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine across multiple entry points. The seizures occurred at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Duba Port, and the Al-Batha border crossing
- At Duba Port, inspectors discovered 50,000 amphetamine pills concealed inside a shipment of wooden tables.
- At King Abdulaziz International Airport, customs officers confiscated 20,200 pills hidden within a passenger’s luggage.
- The Al-Batha border crossing was the site of two major seizures:
- 192,000 amphetamine pills hidden in floor cavities of a truck.
- Nearly 10 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in a separate truck arriving through the same crossing.
Coordination and enforcement efforts
Following these seizures, Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) spokesman Hamoud Al-Harbi confirmed close coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, which led to the arrest of three individuals who were intended recipients of the narcotics inside Saudi Arabia. Al-Harbi emphasized that the authority remains highly vigilant in monitoring the Kingdom’s borders to prevent smugglers from exploiting ports of entry. He reaffirmed ZATCA’s commitment to protecting society from the dangers posed by narcotics and other contraband.
ZATCA’s anti-smuggling capabilities and national security mandate
ZATCA, formed through the 2021 merger of the General Authority of Zakat and Tax with the Saudi Customs Authority, has taken on an expanded role in protecting the Kingdom from illicit trade, especially narcotics.The authority operates across 48 air, land, and sea ports, including:
King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam – the largest maritime gateway- King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh – a major aviation hub
Al-Haditha Border Port – Saudi Arabia’s largest land port
ZATCA employs a combination of technologies and procedures:
- X-ray Scanners for full-container and package inspection
- AI-powered risk assessment systems to identify high-risk shipments
- K9 detection units trained to identify narcotics, explosives, and undeclared cash
- Manual inspection and coordination with national drug control agencies
Beyond narcotics, ZATCA enforces restrictions on items that violate public safety, religious values, or economic interests, such as weapons, alcohol, counterfeit goods, and unlicensed medications.The authority also encourages public participation by enabling anonymous tips via a hotline (1910), email (1910@zatca.gov.sa), and an international line (+9661910). Verified reports can earn monetary rewards and are handled confidentially.Saudi Arabia enforces one of the world’s strictest anti-narcotics laws, and penalties for smuggling drugs are severe:
- Lengthy prison sentences
- Heavy financial penalties
- Deportation for foreign nationals
- In severe cases, the death penalty, particularly for repeat or large-scale offenses
These laws reflect the government’s zero-tolerance stance and its priority of protecting public health, national security, and economic integrity