Customs foil attempt to smuggle 58.6 kg of meth hidden in shoes at Jeddah port
JEDDAH — Customs authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle 58.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, locally known as shabu, concealed inside a shipment of men's shoes arriving through Jeddah Islamic Port.Hammoud Al-Harbi, spokesperson for the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), said customs officers discovered the drugs after the shipment underwent customs procedures and was inspected using…
Jeddah's port authorities have thwarted an attempt to smuggle 58.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, colloquially referred to as shabu, concealed within a shipment of men's shoes. The narcotics were detected during routine customs inspections at the Jeddah Islamic Port. According to Hammoud Al-Harbi, a spokesperson for the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), the drugs were concealed within cavities within the shoes.
In response to the seizure, ZATCA worked in tandem with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to identify and apprehend individuals who were set to receive the illicit cargo in Saudi Arabia. Three individuals were ultimately arrested. ZATCA maintains that it is continually enhancing customs controls for the Kingdom's imports and exports, remaining vigilant against smuggling attempts as part of broader security and societal protection efforts.
These measures are executed in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Narcotics Control. The public is encouraged to aid in combating smuggling by reporting suspected cases through ZATCA's security hotline at 1910, via email at 1910@zatca.gov.sa, or through the international number +966 11 910.
Reports related to smuggling and violations of the Unified Customs Law are treated with strict confidentiality, and financial incentives are provided to informants when the information proves accurate.
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