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Saudi Customs Confront Drug Smugglers Looking to Exploit Hajj

Saudi Customs, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Customs, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Customs Confront Drug Smugglers Looking to Exploit Hajj

Saudi Customs, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Customs, Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia’s customs servicemen, counting up to 1,200 member, have successfully foiled gang attempts of trafficking drugs during the Hajj season this year.

With over 1.4 million pilgrims arriving to the kingdom this time of the year, drug traffickers seek the opportune moment to exploit the massive influx of visitors.

Saudi customs, especially at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Medina’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport, dedicated to receiving pilgrims, are the first line of defense against crimes.

Customs servicemen have long proved to be guardians of national security. During Hajj, customs also facilitate and ensure that the pilgrims' trip remains safe.

According to Issa al-Issa, an official spokesman for Saudi customs, the Hajj season is exploited by many drugs smugglers.

Al-Issa told Asharq Al-Awsat that the customs personnel rely on inspections of modern technologies such as, live surveillance, sniffer dogs, as well as scanning through suspect bodies with radio waves.

Al-Issa said that Saudi customs deployed over 1,200 individuals to implement a pro-active plan and monitor main ports for the arrival of pilgrims nationwide.

Authorities assigned 317 servicemen to Prince Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz Airport in Madinah.

On another hand, a total of 895 customs members were deployed to King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah is about.

As for difficulties faced by customs officials during the Hajj season, Al-Issa said that Hajj season is quite challenging, but accumulated customs experience accounts for what is needed to meet these challenges.

Saudi Customs work to protect the country and society from health hazards and security threats by preventing the entry of contraband, all kinds of drugs, weapons and explosives.

It also works on contributing to the achievement of Kingdom Vision 2030.

Based on economic grounds, customs are tasked with prohibiting the entry of counterfeit goods and items violating intellectual property rights, or in violation of standard specifications, to ensure consumer protection.

Customs also facilitate export procedures that contribute to opening up international markets to local products.

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Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince Receives Written Message from Chinese President 

The message was received by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Riyadh during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. (SPA)
The message was received by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Riyadh during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Written Message from Chinese President 

The message was received by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Riyadh during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. (SPA)
The message was received by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Riyadh during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received on Sunday a written message from China’s President Xi Jinping on bilateral relations between their two countries.

The message was received by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Riyadh during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to China Abdulrahman Al-Harbi and Director General of the General Department for Asian Affairs Nasser Al-Ghannoum.

Gulf

Fifth Session of Political Committee under Saudi-Chinese Joint High-Level Committee Held in Riyadh 

The ministers held the fifth session of the Political Committee under the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee to discuss ways to bolster cooperation across all sectors. (SPA)
The ministers held the fifth session of the Political Committee under the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee to discuss ways to bolster cooperation across all sectors. (SPA)
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Fifth Session of Political Committee under Saudi-Chinese Joint High-Level Committee Held in Riyadh 

The ministers held the fifth session of the Political Committee under the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee to discuss ways to bolster cooperation across all sectors. (SPA)
The ministers held the fifth session of the Political Committee under the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee to discuss ways to bolster cooperation across all sectors. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met in Riyadh on Sunday for talks on the comprehensive strategic partnership between their countries.

They praised the level of relations across all fields, including the economic, trade, investment, and energy sectors.

They underscored that the visit coincides with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and China, which have witnessed significant development and alignment of vision.

The ministers held the fifth session of the Political Committee under the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee to discuss ways to bolster cooperation across all sectors.

They stressed their keenness to provide mutual support on matters related to the vital interests of both countries. They underlined their support for measures that achieve security, stability, development, and prosperity in both nations, in a manner that meets the aspirations of the leadership of both countries.

The Saudi side reaffirmed its adherence to the One-China policy, recognizing the Chinese government as the sole legitimate government representing all of China, stressing that Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory.

The Chinese side expressed its support for the development and strengthening of Saudi-Iranian relations and praised the Kingdom’s leadership role and efforts to achieve regional and international security and stability.

It lauded the economic developments taking place in the Kingdom under Saudi Vision 2030. It commended the outcomes of the Arab-China Riyadh Summit for Cooperation and Development hosted by the Kingdom in December 2022.

Saudi officials expressed their support for China hosting the second China-Arab Summit and the second China-GCC Summit in 2026.

Chinese officials also expressed Beijing's readiness to participate in the World Expo 2030 Riyadh.

The two parties exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest, expressing their readiness to boost communication and coordination on these matters.

They underscored their support for efforts to achieve a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the two-state solution, international resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Both sides also signed an agreement on the mutual waiver of visas for holders of diplomatic, private, and service passports.

Gulf

'Sakan' Begins First Phase of Housing Unit Handovers Under Saudi Crown Prince's Directives 

A general view of Riyadh on August 29, 2025. (Reuters)
A general view of Riyadh on August 29, 2025. (Reuters)
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'Sakan' Begins First Phase of Housing Unit Handovers Under Saudi Crown Prince's Directives 

A general view of Riyadh on August 29, 2025. (Reuters)
A general view of Riyadh on August 29, 2025. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia’s Developmental Housing Foundation (Sakan) announced on Sunday the launch of the first phase of housing unit handovers to beneficiaries across Saudi Arabia, in implementation of directives by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The announcement follows the Crown Prince's generous personal donation of SAR1 billion to the foundation through the Jood Eskan initiative to support homeownership for eligible families and beneficiaries, reflecting his firm commitment to ensuring a decent quality of life for citizens.

In line with his directives to complete designated housing projects within a period not exceeding 12 months, while adhering to the highest standards of quality and governance across all operational processes, Sakan has adopted an implementation plan that enables immediate handover commencement.

The plan includes six phases covering all regions of the Kingdom by selecting completed housing units developed by national developers and companies in accordance with approved technical specifications, ensuring a swift and tangible developmental impact.

Sakan will also, in coordination with the Kingdom's principalities, implement a monthly handover plan covering two regions per phase, aimed at streamlining beneficiary access and boosting the efficiency of handover operations.