On Friday, officials from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) thwarted an attempt to smuggle 28.9 kilograms of cocaine into the Kingdom through Jeddah Islamic Port.Authority spokesperson Hamoud Al-Harbi said the narcotics were discovered hidden inside a shipment of frozen meat after it underwent customs procedures and was inspected using security screening technology and sniffer dogs.This incident comes on the heels of a recent bust on June 27, 2025, when officials at the same port uncovered a major shipment of Captagon pills, totaling 732,015, concealed inside wardrobes. That seizure was made possible through the use of advanced security technologies in combination with thorough manual inspections. ZATCA immediately alerted the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, leading to the arrest of four individuals who were the intended recipients of the drugs within Saudi Arabia.Al-Harbi emphasized that these consecutive discoveries underscore not only the increasing ingenuity of traffickers but also the rising pressure on border authorities to stay ahead of evolving smuggling methods. He reaffirmed ZATCA’s commitment to tightening customs controls and maintaining constant vigilance as part of its broader strategy to protect society from harmful substances.
Jeddah port’s strategic importance
Given the frequency and scale of recent drug smuggling attempts, the strategic importance of Jeddah Islamic Port cannot be overstated, not only as a major hub for trade but also as a critical checkpoint in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to safeguard its borders.Jeddah Islamic Port, also known as Jeddah Port, is the main port for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s imports and exports. It is the largest Saudi port on the Red Sea in terms of area, expanding over 12.5 km. It is the second largest port along the Red Sea coast in the Kingdom in terms of capacity, after King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu.The significance of the Jeddah Port stems from being a gateway that welcomes Hajj and Umrah pilgrims annually. It is also a fundamental access point in the Red Sea for re-exportation since 75 percent of maritime trade and transshipment going through Saudi ports take place in this port.
ZATCA’s anti-smuggling capabilities and national security mandate
ZATCA, formed through the 2021 merger of the General Authority of Zakat and Tax with the Saudi Customs Authority, has taken on an expanded role in protecting the Kingdom from illicit trade, especially narcotics.The authority operates across 48 air, land, and sea ports, including:
King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam – the largest maritime gateway- King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh – a major aviation hub
Al-Haditha Border Port – Saudi Arabia’s largest land port
ZATCA employs a combination of technologies and procedures:
- X-ray Scanners for full-container and package inspection
- AI-powered risk assessment systems to identify high-risk shipments
K9 detection units trained to identify narcotics, explosives, and undeclared cash- Manual inspection and coordination with national drug control agencies
Beyond narcotics, ZATCA enforces restrictions on items that violate public safety, religious values, or economic interests, such as weapons, alcohol, counterfeit goods, and unlicensed medications.The authority also encourages public participation by enabling anonymous tips via a hotline (1910), email (1910@zatca.gov.sa), and an international line (+9661910). Verified reports can earn monetary rewards and are handled confidentially.Saudi Arabia enforces one of the world’s strictest anti-narcotics laws, and penalties for smuggling drugs are severe:
- Lengthy prison sentences
- Heavy financial penalties
- Deportation for foreign nationals
- In severe cases, the death penalty, particularly for repeat or large-scale offenses
These laws reflect the government’s zero-tolerance stance and its priority of protecting public health, national security, and economic integrity
