Saudi Arabia Foils Smuggling of 1.9 Million Amphetamine Pills Hidden in a Lentil Shipment

Quantity of narcotic pills seized after being found hidden in a lentil shipment at the Al-Haditha border crossing (Saudi Customs).
Quantity of narcotic pills seized after being found hidden in a lentil shipment at the Al-Haditha border crossing (Saudi Customs).
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Saudi Arabia Foils Smuggling of 1.9 Million Amphetamine Pills Hidden in a Lentil Shipment

Quantity of narcotic pills seized after being found hidden in a lentil shipment at the Al-Haditha border crossing (Saudi Customs).
Quantity of narcotic pills seized after being found hidden in a lentil shipment at the Al-Haditha border crossing (Saudi Customs).

Saudi Arabia has foiled an attempt to smuggle 1,950,581 pills of the narcotic substance amphetamine, which were found concealed in a shipment transported on trucks entering the country through the Al-Haditha border crossing with Jordan.

Hamoud Al-Harbi, spokesman for the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, said the quantity of narcotic pills was found hidden in a shipment of lentils after a truck underwent customs procedures and was inspected using security technologies and live detection methods.

Al-Harbi affirmed that the authority is continuing, across all ports of entry, to tighten customs controls over Saudi Arabia’s imports and exports and to remain vigilant against attempts to smuggle these harmful substances and other prohibited goods, in order to strengthen security and protect society, in coordination and cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Narcotics Control.

The spokesman called on everyone to contribute to combating smuggling and protecting society and the national economy by contacting the authority through its dedicated security reporting number, 1910, its email address, [email protected], or the international number, 009661910.

Al-Harbi noted that through these channels, the authority receives reports related to smuggling crimes and violations of the provisions of the Unified Customs Law in complete confidentiality. Informants are also eligible for a financial reward if the information they provide is verified.



Saudi Royal Order Promotes and Appoints 34 Board of Grievances Judges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
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Saudi Royal Order Promotes and Appoints 34 Board of Grievances Judges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued on Friday a royal order promoting and appointing 34 judges at the Board of Grievances.

President of the Board of Grievances and Chairman of the Administrative Judiciary Council Dr. Ali bin Ahmed Al-Ohaydib said the administrative judiciary enjoys the support of King Salman and the attention and follow-up of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

This is reflected in the royal order, which supports the Board of Grievances, motivates its judges and personnel, and advances the administrative judiciary, he added.


Saudi-Malaysian Security Cooperation Foils Smuggling of 505.6 Kilograms of Ketamine

An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
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Saudi-Malaysian Security Cooperation Foils Smuggling of 505.6 Kilograms of Ketamine

An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)

Saudi Ministry of Interior security spokesperson Brigadier General Talal bin Shalhoub stated that intelligence provided by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to Malaysian authorities enabled the Royal Malaysian Customs Department Anti-Narcotics Unit to thwart an attempt to smuggle 505.6 kilograms of ketamine.

Bin Shalhoub praised the ongoing operational coordination between the two nations in intercepting illicit drugs, emphasizing that this joint success reflects tight security integration to counter transnational organized crime networks, SPA reported on Friday.

He affirmed that Saudi Arabia remains vigilant in tracking and dismantling criminal syndicates that target national security and youth with narcotics, continuing coordinated global efforts to protect societies from the illicit drug trade, SPA added.


UAE President Pardons Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
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UAE President Pardons Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a pardon on Friday for Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, who was convicted by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal on 27th August 2026 of the offences with which he was charged and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment and a fine of AED200,000.

The ruling was first issued on August 27, 2026, after finding Al-Qaradawi guilty of the charges against him.

According to Friday's announcement, the necessary procedures have been taken to implement the presidential pardon.