Saudi security authorities have arrested 834 suspected drug traffickers and seized drugs estimated at worth SR 1.3 billion, said Major Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior yesterday.
Among those arrested were 328 Saudis and 506 foreigners of 31 different nationalities. The majority of the smugglers came from Yemeni borders, according to Al-Turki. The arrests took place during the first four months of this Hijrah year (1434), he added.
Security men faced armed resistance from the alleged smugglers in different security operations, which resulted in the injury of 30 security men. Twelve suspected smugglers were killed or injured in the shootouts, he said.
He said considerable quantities of drugs were seized before delivery to drug distributors, which included raw and processed heroin, hashish, amphetamine, cocaine, opium in addition to cash money worth SR 37 million.
He affirmed that narcotics fighting efforts have been fully coordinated between different security agents and the Customs Department.
In unrelated security matters, Major Gen. Al-Turki said some media outlets were exaggerating the volume of foreign infiltrators.
He said the deportation of foreigners is subject to legal, humanitarian and diplomatic considerations. He said border guards are efficiently undertaking their role to protect security.
Referring to the uncovering of an espionage cell involving 18 Saudis and two foreigners, Al-Turki said the Kingdom did not accuse Iran of spying. However, Saudi security agencies are investigating the group’s alleged espionage acts against the Kingdom.
