Customs readiness and technology key to combating smuggling, says ZATCA spokesman

ZATCA spokesman Hammoud Al-Harbi stresses the significance of state-of-the-art customs technology and well-trained personnel in combating smuggling and drug trafficking. In an interview with Al Ekhbariya TV, Al-Harbi underscored the critical role that prepared customs entry points play in thwarting smuggling attempts and safeguarding society from the dangers of illicit drugs.

He noted that all land, sea, and air entry points in Saudi Arabia are fully equipped with modern security technologies and staffed by personnel who undergo rigorous training, both on the job and through specialized courses. Al-Harbi also highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Ministry of Interior, and the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, as they work together to keep the country secure.

Recently, the authority announced the successful prevention of a smuggling operation that sought to bring 1,950,581 amphetamine pills into the Kingdom, concealed within a load of lentils transported via the Al-Haditha border crossing.