ع
Lieutenant Colonel Misfer bin Ghannam Al-Quraini, the official spokesman for the Border Guard, detailed the success of land patrols in thwarting the smuggling attempts. The operations took place in sectors along the southern border where such activities are frequently detected. The five suspects were transferred to the competent authorities for the completion of legal procedures, according to the statement. Preliminary measures have been finalized with the seized materials now under the control of specialized units.
The spokesman has regularly updated on similar interdictions, including a large-scale effort made public on September 6 that resulted in the seizure of more than 34 tons of khat, 781 kilograms of hashish and nearly one million amphetamine pills across several provinces. That campaign led to the arrest of 121 individuals, the majority of them from Yemen and Ethiopia, the directorate’s figures show. Such statistics illustrate the volume of trafficking attempts the Border Guard confronts on a regular basis, with many originating from organized networks.
Khat smuggling remains a particular focus in the Jazan area due to its proximity to cultivation zones in neighboring countries, previous Border Guard reports have indicated. Hashish seizures, meanwhile, often occur in tandem with other controlled substances during these patrols in Najran and adjacent sectors. The latest finds were handed over to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control for destruction after documentation, as part of standard protocol.
In previous comparable actions reported by Arab News, border forces in the same regions arrested dozens of suspects while confiscating hundreds of kilograms of hashish and tons of khat in coordinated operations throughout the summer. The General Directorate of Border Guards maintains a policy of public engagement, urging residents to share any relevant information on potential smuggling. Calls can be made to 994 for Border Guard matters or 995 for narcotics-related tips, the spokesman has reminded in multiple announcements.
The sustained pressure on smuggling networks has been a priority for Saudi security agencies throughout 2026, with regular updates from the directorate highlighting both operational successes and the need for continued vigilance along the southern frontier. One review of regional coverage placed the number of similar arrests in the southern border areas in the hundreds over recent months. All cases undergo full investigation to support efforts against broader trafficking activities.
