JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) foiled an attempt to smuggle 28.9 kilograms of cocaine into the Kingdom through Jeddah Islamic Port on Friday.
Authority spokesperson Hamoud Al-Harbi said the narcotics were concealed inside a shipment of frozen meat and uncovered during routine customs procedures using security screening technologies and trained sniffer dogs.
The seizure follows a major bust on June 27, 2025, at the same port, where officials discovered 732,015 Captagon pills hidden in wardrobes. That operation led to the arrest of four recipients in Saudi Arabia after ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control.
Al-Harbi stressed that back-to-back discoveries highlight both the growing sophistication of traffickers and the constant pressure on border forces. He reaffirmed ZATCA’s commitment to tightening controls, employing advanced detection tools, and protecting society from narcotics.
Jeddah Port: A Strategic Gateway
Jeddah Islamic Port, the Kingdom’s largest on the Red Sea, handles about 75 percent of Saudi Arabia’s maritime trade and transshipment. It also serves as a key entry point for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Its scale and importance make it a frequent target for smuggling attempts, further underscoring its role in national security.
ZATCA’s Expanding Role
Established in 2021 through the merger of the tax and customs authorities, ZATCA oversees 48 air, land, and sea ports. Its anti-smuggling arsenal includes:
- Full-container X-ray scanners
- AI-powered risk assessment systems
- K9 narcotics and explosives units
- Manual inspections and inter-agency coordination
Beyond drugs, the authority enforces restrictions on weapons, alcohol, counterfeit goods, and unlicensed medicines. It also encourages public cooperation via anonymous tip lines (hotline 1910, email 1910@zatca.gov.sa, and +9661910 internationally), with monetary rewards for verified reports.
Zero-Tolerance Drug Laws
Saudi Arabia enforces some of the world’s toughest anti-narcotics laws. Smuggling can result in heavy fines, long prison terms, deportation of foreign nationals, and in severe or repeat cases, the death penalty.
The latest Jeddah seizure reinforces Riyadh’s zero-tolerance stance and its resolve to safeguard public health, economic integrity, and national security from the threat of narcotics.
