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.



UAE Reaffirms Full Solidarity with Saudi Arabia Following Houthi Attacks

Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
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UAE Reaffirms Full Solidarity with Saudi Arabia Following Houthi Attacks

Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

The United Arab Emirates expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia following the attacks of the Houthi militia on Saudi airports.

UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone call on Tuesday with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during which he expressed the UAE’s solidarity with the kingdom. They also discussed recent developments and their regional implications.

The two officials addressed Houthi militia attacks on King Khalid International Airport. Sheikh Abdullah condemned the attacks and reaffirmed the UAE’s solidarity and support for measures to safeguard the kingdom’s security and stability.

Separately, Prince Faisal received a phone call from Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, who conveyed Malaysia’s condemnation of what it described as terrorist attacks targeting civilians in Saudi Arabia.

Mohamad reaffirmed Malaysia’s support for Saudi measures to safeguard its sovereignty and security. The two ministers also discussed bilateral ties and regional and international developments.


400 Medical Staff Save Victims of Riyadh Airport Attack

Twenty-five surgeries were performed in ten hours following the attack on Riyadh. (Turky Al-Agili)
Twenty-five surgeries were performed in ten hours following the attack on Riyadh. (Turky Al-Agili)
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400 Medical Staff Save Victims of Riyadh Airport Attack

Twenty-five surgeries were performed in ten hours following the attack on Riyadh. (Turky Al-Agili)
Twenty-five surgeries were performed in ten hours following the attack on Riyadh. (Turky Al-Agili)

Dr. Maad Al-Saati, Head of the Orthopedic Surgery Department at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital in Riyadh, confirmed that medical teams successfully treated with high efficiency and in record time people wounded in the attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.

Regarding the protocol for handling the injured upon their arrival at the hospital, Al-Saati told Asharq Al-Awsat that cases were classified into three main categories under a precise triage system.

The first comprised critical and severe cases, which were handled with immediate precision by a specialized emergency center; urgent examinations and surgeries were performed directly to save the lives of all those requiring such intervention.

He noted that moderate cases received initial treatment in the emergency department immediately upon arrival before being transferred directly to the operating room. Meanwhile, mild cases received the necessary treatment solely within the emergency department and were cleared for discharge after ensuring their health conditions were stable.

The medical team acted with high efficiency and in record time according to international standards. (Turky Al-Agili)

25 surgeries in 10 hours

He revealed that within just ten hours of the attack, 25 surgeries were performed covering various injuries.

All surgeries were successful, with the cases affected by shrapnel and various wounds handled in a smooth and professional manner, he added.

Regarding the current medical status of the injured, Al-Saati said that only two cases remain under intensive care, while the remaining patients have been transferred to designated inpatient wards.

Many cases have achieved full recovery, while others will require more surgeries, he revealed.

Around 400 specialized medical personnel treated the victims. (Turky Al-Agili)

400 medical staff

Al-Saati said that around 400 specialized medical personnel treated the victims, covering a range of procedures, such as general, orthopedic, neurosurgery, vascular and pediatric surgeries.

The team acted with high efficiency and in record time according to international standards, he stressed.

Al-Saati expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the full and continuous support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their gracious and comprehensive care of the sick and injured of all nationalities following the attack.


UN Human Rights Chief ‘Appalled’ by Attacks on Airports Saudi Arabia

 General view of the highway leading to the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 12, 2026. (Reuters)
General view of the highway leading to the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 12, 2026. (Reuters)
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UN Human Rights Chief ‘Appalled’ by Attacks on Airports Saudi Arabia

 General view of the highway leading to the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 12, 2026. (Reuters)
General view of the highway leading to the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 12, 2026. (Reuters)

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned on Monday the repeated attacks carried out by the Houthis on airports in Saudi Arabia.

“I am appalled by the repeated attacks over the past few days by the Houthis on airports in Saudi Arabia, which have killed and injured dozens of Saudis and foreign nationals, notably the horrific attack on Riyadh’s main airport,” he said in a statement.

“Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international humanitarian law. These attacks and other alleged violations by all parties to this conflict must be investigated, and those found responsible held to account,” he added.

“The disastrous toll of this conflict on civilians, both in Yemen and in Saudi Arabia, is a reminder to all parties that continued fighting will only unleash further misery with no end in sight,” he warned.

“In addition to the duty to respect the principles of distinction and proportionality, all parties have the obligation, under international humanitarian law, to take constant care to spare civilians. I urge them to de-escalate and avert further catastrophe,” he stressed.