Saudi authorities find amphetamine pills in cleaning supplies

Another drug bust in Saudi Arabia was reported today. 

The Saudi General Directorate of Narcotics Control said it discovered 2,225,000 amphetamine pills in the Red Sea port of Jeddah that were hidden in floor wipers. The wipers were allegedly owned by a Riyadh resident who is a Syrian citizen. The person was arrested, the directorate said in a press release.

صور من عملية ضبط (2,250,000) أقراص من مادة الإمفيتامين المخدر. #الحرب_على_المخدرات pic.twitter.com/mfgaXCmxDU

— مكافحة المخدرات (@Mokafha_SA) August 17, 2022

Why it matters: Saudi Arabia is in the midst of an intense drug war, in part driven by the kingdom’s amphetamine addiction issue. Saudi authorities regularly find drugs that people attempt to smuggle in increasingly creative ways. In April, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control reported finding more than 400,000 amphetamine pills hidden in elevator parts. 

Captagon, which is related to amphetamines, is particularly a problem in Saudi Arabia. In April, Saudi customs officials found nearly 4 million Captagon pills in a single bust, for example. 

Know more: The use of Captagon in particular is widespread throughout the region, including in Jordan and Syria.