Saudi customs foil 1,131 smuggling attempts

RIYADH — 03:00 AM on July 19, 2026

The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia intensifies its campaign against cross-border illicit trade and narcotics trafficking.

July 19, 2026 | 03:00 AM

Saudi Gazette

Last Updated: July 19, 2026 | 03:00 AM

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RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's land, sea and air customs ports foiled 1,131 smuggling attempts, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced.

Among the confiscated items were 118 varieties of narcotics, such as hashish, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine (shabu), Captagon pills, and other illegal drugs. Additionally, customs officials seized 402 other prohibited materials.

The authority stated that its officers prevented the smuggling of 2,478 tobacco and tobacco-related products, along with 25 instances of undeclared currency and nine cases involving weapons and related equipment.

The authority reaffirmed its commitment to tightening customs controls over the Kingdom's imports and exports in coordination with relevant government agencies to safeguard society and enhance national security.

ZATCA also urged the public to help combat smuggling by reporting suspected violations. It said all reports are handled confidentially and that financial rewards are offered when the information leads to a verified customs violation.

Smuggling operations threaten public health and national security, prompting the ZATCA to tighten controls in coordination with other agencies. The authority’s appeal for public reporting, with confidentiality and financial incentives, aims to leverage community vigilance. These latest figures highlight the persistent scale of smuggling attempts across the Kingdom’s borders.