Smuggled weapons seized in Jazan

Border Guards patrols in the southern province of Jazan have thwarted an attempt to smuggle over 400 weapons into the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported yesterday.
Only one smuggler was involved and he tried to bring the cache into the country by hiding it in his car.
Col. Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Mahfouz, spokesman of Border Guards in Jazan, said security officers found the weapons while inspecting the man’s vehicle.
He said: “In coordination with other security agencies, the man’s residence was inspected immediately and more weapons found.”
Police have seized a total of 404 various weapons, five magazines of ammunition and 223 bullets from the man, he said, adding the smuggler and the weapons have been transferred to the relevant authorities.
Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Al-Subhi, commander of Border Guards in the region, commended the patrols’ vigilance, adding that they play a big role in preventing the smuggling of weapons and drugs into the Kingdom.
Last April, Border Guards patrols in the Bani Malek sector of Jazan foiled another attempt to smuggle weapons into the country.
Officers seized 119 pistols, 25,295 pieces of ammunition and 238 magazines, the department said.
Authorities have cracked down on the smuggling of arms and drugs into the Kingdom.
A spokesman from the Ministry of Interior said earlier this year that in the last four months 681 people were arrested for their involvement in smuggling and trafficking drugs worth roughly SR1.7 billion.
Of those arrested, 96 were Saudi nationals while the rest were from 33 different nationalities.
Security forces also seized Saudi currency worth SR16.73 million.
In another incident, police seized weapons hidden under fodder in a pickup truck.
Police in Al-Reeth and Wadi Amoor governorates tried to stop the pickup driver, but he ignored them and drove into a rugged area.
He stopped the vehicle and fled with other passengers.