ZATCA foils attempt to smuggle nearly 47,000 amphetamine pills hidden in cheese shipment

RIYADH — The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has foiled an attempt to smuggle 46,968 amphetamine pills into Saudi Arabia through the Al Haditha border crossing.ZATCA spokesperson Hamoud Al-Harbi said the narcotics were discovered during an inspection of a truck arriving in the Kingdom. The pills were concealed inside a shipment of metal containers carrying cheese.Following the seizure, ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to identify and apprehend the intended recipient of the shipment inside Saudi Arabia.Al-Harbi said authorities successfully arrested the recipient after completing the customs operation.ZATCA said it remains committed to strengthening customs controls on the Kingdom's imports and exports and preventing attempts to smuggle drugs and other prohibited items into the country.The authority said the effort forms part of its strategy to enhance security and protect society from narcotics and other harmful substances.Al-Harbi called on the public to assist in combating smuggling activities by reporting suspected violations through the authority's dedicated security hotline, email channels and international contact number.ZATCA said all reports related to smuggling crimes and customs violations are treated confidentially and may qualify for financial rewards if the information leads to successful enforcement action.