The “war on drugs,” as described by Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC), represents a unique model in combating the threat that drug abuse poses to society.
The widespread reach of drug abuse, which has spread throughout the country, has necessitated a diverse range of methods to confront it, including security, legal, social, and political measures.
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif has pledged to target drug traffickers, smugglers, and anyone who seeks to harm the Kingdom or its people.
High figures in combating smuggling
The GDNC announced recently that it has foiled the smuggling of 5.28 million amphetamine tablets, a narcotic substance commonly used in the production of crystal meth, in its ongoing efforts to combat drug-related activities. The authorities also arrested the individuals who were planning to receive the illegal drugs.
The latest attempt to smuggle drugs into Saudi Arabia reveals the use of various unconventional methods, as the illegal substances were concealed within a shipment of stones and construction materials at the Jeddah Islamic Port.
Although there are no official statistics available on the number of confiscations and arrests made in the current campaign, the announced figures on the latest operations demonstrate the targeting of the Kingdom through diverse forms of smuggling, including air travel and border crossings.
Last Tuesday, a GDNC spokesperson declared in a statement that security surveillance of drug smuggling and trafficking networks aimed at protecting the Kingdom’s youth had thwarted an attempt to smuggle 12.7 million amphetamine narcotic tablets. These were concealed in a pomegranate shipment through the Islamic Port of Jeddah.
The bust was achieved in coordination with the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority.
The GDNC also revealed in August of 2022 the foiling of an attempt to smuggle around 47 million amphetamine tablets hidden in a shipment of flour.
At the time, the spokesperson for the directorate remarked that the amount of drugs confiscated in this operation is the largest ever attempted to be smuggled into Saudi Arabia in a single effort.
High-level collaboration to combat smuggling
From an early stage, it was noteworthy to observers that official joint statements between Saudi Arabia and several countries included addressing economic and political aspects, as well as cooperation in combating drug smuggling in all forms.
Drug addiction is one of the major crises facing countries around the world, affecting people’s lives due to its widespread reach across different age groups. Its danger has permeated social fabrics.
The National Committee for Narcotics Control (NCNC) had warned of the dangers of drug addiction and the chronic diseases that affect the brain as a result.
The committee pointed out that “some youth experiment with drugs through friends or acquaintances, driven by curiosity, which may lead them into the clutches of addiction and family and financial problems.”
In addition, injecting drugs is considered “one of the causes of contracting diseases that are transmitted through the blood, such as AIDS.”
The NCNC confirmed that teenagers who receive constant awareness messages about the dangers of drugs from their parents “are 50% less likely to use them than those who are unaware of the risks of drugs that lead to death.”
Broad participation in war on drugs
Several Saudi agencies took part in a clear demonstration of their diverse activities in the “war on drugs,” with many of them posting tweets to remind people of the security and legal penalties for anyone involved in any drug-related operation.
The Public Prosecution has reiterated its warning that anyone who visits a place intended for drug or psychoactive substance use and is aware of the drug use taking place can be imprisoned, even if there is no evidence of their personal drug use.
Security authorities in the Kingdom called on the public to report drug smugglers and dealers through the hotline (995) to protect the security of the country, families, and community.
