The Border Guards in Asir province seized 96 kilograms of hashish from smugglers attempting to cross into the Kingdom illegally.

Spokesman of the Border Guards in Asir, Abdullah bin Ahmed Alhamrani, said a group of smugglers trying to infiltrate into the Kingdom was intercepted by officials. Following a heavy exchange of fire, the smugglers managed to escape but left behind a huge haul of the contraband consisting of 96 kilograms of hashish and 40 kilograms of qat.

During the past week alone, Border Guard patrols seized over 2 tons of hashish from smugglers. More than 1,000 kilograms of the banned weed was seized from the Eastern Province in a single operation which resulted in one officer being wounded and the arrest of the smugglers.

The smugglers attempted to burn their vehicle to destroy evidence, but the Border Guards managed to put out the fire and seized another 20 kilograms of hashish.

In Makkah, border patrols also arrested two smugglers and foiled attempts to smuggle 288 kilograms of hashish, while in Jazan, more than 300 kilograms of hashish as well as weapons and qat were seized. All individuals were handed over to security authorities for further investigation and prosecution.