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The Saudi Border Guard has reported the arrest of four Yemeni nationals during land patrols conducted in the Asir and Jazan regions. One individual was taken into custody in Asir’s Al-Rabuah sector after officers discovered 20 kilograms of khat in his possession. Patrols in Jazan’s Al-Harth sector accounted for the remaining three arrests, which yielded an additional 82 kilograms of the narcotic plant. The combined 102 kilograms of khat were seized as part of distinct but coordinated operations along the border.
In a separate action within Jazan’s Al-Dair sector, Border Guard personnel intercepted 14 kilograms of hashish and 63,500 regulated pills that were being smuggled into the country, the force detailed in its update. Legal proceedings have been finalized for all involved parties, who were subsequently transferred to the relevant authorities. This latest activity aligns with the Border Guard’s mandate to secure Saudi Arabia’s extensive southern frontier against illicit trade.
Data compiled by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority indicates that customs and border units across Saudi Arabia routinely record hundreds of contraband seizures each week, with narcotics featuring prominently in many of those cases. Recent weekly tallies have fluctuated between 642 and more than 1,000 interceptions, illustrating the volume of enforcement actions required. Such statistics encompass both port-based and remote land patrols similar to those executed in Asir and Jazan.
Khat, valued for its stimulant properties, is cultivated mainly in Yemen and has long been the subject of smuggling attempts into the kingdom, according to patterns documented in Saudi Press Agency dispatches on prior seizures. The Border Guard’s focus on these provinces stems from their proximity to primary trafficking corridors. Comparable operations have netted varying quantities of the substance throughout the current year, reinforcing the ongoing nature of the threat.
To bolster its counter-smuggling initiatives, the Saudi Border Guard has renewed its appeal for public assistance in identifying potential violations. Citizens can contact authorities via 911 in the Makkah, Madinah and Riyadh regions or 999 in all other areas for general emergencies. Dedicated lines for border security stand at 994 while narcotics intelligence can be provided through 995 or by emailing [email protected], the force specified.
A review published in the United States State Department’s 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report commended Saudi Arabia’s advancements in disrupting drug supply chains through enhanced border controls and inter-agency coordination. The document noted significant precursor and finished drug seizures achieved by Saudi entities in preceding periods. Continued vigilance in provinces bordering Yemen remains essential to counter adaptive smuggling strategies.
