Saudi Customs foiled an attempt to smuggle over 4.5 million Captagon pills that were found hidden inside a shipment of oranges through the port of Jeddah.
Authorities on state TV said Wednesday that the boxes full of oranges were examined by x-ray machines and showed that a large amount of Captagon pills were hidden under the fruit inside the boxes.
The report did not mention the origin of the narcotics.
Saudi authorities announced on Saturday the seizure of 14.4 million amphetamine pills from Lebanon, hidden in shipment of iron plates. In April, they said they discovered 5.3 million such pills hidden in pomegranate shipments from Lebanon. Authorities said a shipment arriving via the port of Jeddah consisting of cartons of oranges was confiscated after it was subjected to customs procedures and examined through X-ray machines, according to broadcaster Al Arabiya. The images showed a large quantity of Captagon pills hidden under the boxes of fruit.Initial reports did not mention the origin of the narcotics.
The authorities added that several people suspected of waiting for the arrival of the boxes were taken into custody.
Customs authorities said their personnel “stand in the way of the smugglers’ attempts and their organised campaigns”, Al Arabiya reported.
Saudi Arabia banned imports of Lebanese produce in April citing increased attempts to smuggle drugs from the country.
Saudi authorities announced on Saturday the seizure of 14.4 million amphetamine pills from Lebanon, hidden in a shipment of iron plates. In April, they said they discovered 5.3 million such pills hidden in pomegranate shipments from Lebanon.
At the time, authorities said they arrested four suspects, including two nationals, and two residents – one of whom was Syrian.