In Makkah and Madina, the Saudi Anti-Narcotics Department has been able to conduct operations which have led to several arrests and seizing crystal meth. In Madina, police officers arrested three suspects, two of whom were Pakistani citizens, and seized one kilogram of methamphetamine. Police in Makkah arrested two Ethiopians and seized a large amount of narcotic pills in the process.
All of them have been taken to court, and are currently in the custody of the Public Prosecution. The department pointed out that it had continued to work toward eradication of drug trafficking in sacred cities, where pilgrims and residents were both safe.
In a related development the Pakistani government has stopped a large-scale smuggling operation at Sialkot International Airport. One of the passengers was found in possession of 40 cocaine-filled capsules weighing almost 230 grams. Intelligence led to the arrest of another accomplice in the parking area of the airport by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF). The capsules were then retrieved by hospitalizing the man so that he could do so safely.
Read more: Umrah Pilgrim Caught With Cocaine at Sialkot Airport
The ANF also decried the use of Umrah pilgrimage as a drug smuggling tool and promised to keep pursuing channels used in the smuggling of crystal meth and other narcotics within the country and beyond. High levels of intelligence and technology are being used to enhance anti-smuggling to ensure high levels of enforcement and commercial safety across borders.
