A new security achievement for the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced a significant security achievement, thwarting 965 smuggling attempts across various land, sea, and air customs ports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in just one week. This success is part of the Authority's ongoing efforts to strengthen security and protect the nation's borders from all threats, underscoring the vigilance of its personnel and their ability to confront criminals.

In its official statement, ZATCA revealed that the seizures included large quantities of various dangerous substances. Specifically, 114 types of narcotics were confiscated, most notably hashish, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, in addition to quantities of Captagon pills, which pose a direct threat to the safety of society and its youth. The seizures also included 437 other prohibited substances, 1,950 units of tobacco and its derivatives, three types of weapons and related equipment, and 10 cases of smuggling undeclared cash, in clear violation of applicable financial regulations.

General context: The role of customs in achieving Vision 2030

Customs ports are the Kingdom's first line of defense against organized crime and smuggling in all its forms. The General Authority of Customs and Trade (ZATCA) plays a pivotal role in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes the security and prosperity of society. By rigorously monitoring the movement of goods and people, ZATCA not only protects society from the scourges of drugs and weapons but also supports the national economy by combating commercial fraud and tax and customs evasion. The Authority has witnessed tremendous development in recent years, investing in cutting-edge global technologies such as advanced X-ray inspection systems and employing artificial intelligence in data analysis to identify high-risk shipments. Furthermore, it has focused on training and developing its personnel to enhance performance efficiency and expedite processes.

Local and regional importance and impacts

Domestically, these seizures represent a significant blow to drug trafficking networks and contribute directly to protecting the social fabric, especially young people, from the health and psychological damage caused by these scourges. Furthermore, the seizure of weapons enhances internal security and stability and prevents crime. Economically, these operations protect the local market from counterfeit and adulterated goods and preserve state financial resources that can be redirected to support development.

At the regional and international levels, these efforts reflect the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to combating transnational organized crime. Thanks to its strategic geographic location connecting the continents of the world, Saudi Arabia's success in securing its borders is a crucial factor in disrupting the supply lines of international smuggling networks targeting the region and the world. In closing, ZATCA affirmed its commitment to further strengthening its monitoring procedures and deepening coordination and cooperation with its partners in security and military agencies to ensure the construction of an impenetrable barrier protecting the Kingdom's borders from all threats to its security and the safety of its citizens and residents.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced today (Saturday) the execution of a Saudi citizen in the Tabuk region who was convicted of murdering another citizen, confirming the strictness of the judicial system and the state’s commitment to achieving justice and protecting lives.

According to the official statement issued by the Ministry, the perpetrator, Anas bin Hassan bin Maqbool Al-Omrani, murdered the victim, Dameh bin Al-Mahdi bin Dameh Al-Ruwaili, by stabbing him with a sharp instrument following a dispute between them, which resulted in his death. Security authorities were able to apprehend the perpetrator at the time.

The path of justice and the application of Sharia

This ruling is based on the provisions of Islamic Sharia, which forms the basis of the judicial system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Retribution, meaning "just retribution," is a right belonging to the victim's family, granting them the choice between demanding the execution of the death penalty, accepting blood money (money), or pardoning the perpetrator. In this case, after exhausting all avenues of appeal and definitively proving the charge, the sentence was upheld by the highest judicial authorities. The investigation of the perpetrator led to his indictment for the crime, and upon his referral to the competent court, a ruling was issued confirming the charges against him and sentencing him to death by way of retribution. The sentence was upheld by the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, and a royal decree was issued to enforce the legally mandated punishment.

A deterrent message to protect society

The Ministry of Interior, through its ongoing statements regarding the implementation of sentences, affirms the Kingdom's government's commitment to maintaining security and achieving justice. These sentences serve as a strong deterrent message to anyone who dares to transgress against the lives of others and violate their right to life, the most sacred right guaranteed by Islamic law. The implementation of these punishments aims to protect society as a whole, maintain public order, and reassure citizens and residents that the hand of justice will reach all those who commit such heinous crimes. The Ministry reiterated its warning that the prescribed legal punishment will be the inevitable fate of anyone who sheds blood, emphasizing that the security and judicial authorities will not hesitate to pursue criminals and bring them to justice to receive their just punishment, thus ensuring the security and safety of society.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the results of joint security field campaigns targeting violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations across the Kingdom during a single week, from 26 Jumada al-Thani to 2 Rajab 1447 AH (January 15-21, 2026). These intensive efforts resulted in the apprehension of 18,200 violators, reflecting the state's continued commitment to upholding the rule of law and regulating the labor market.

These campaigns are part of the comprehensive national campaign “A Nation Without Violators,” launched in 2017, which aims to regularize the status of undocumented workers and prosecute those involved in employing or harboring them. The campaign seeks to enhance national security, address the negative economic and social impacts of irregular employment, and ensure a fair and regulated work environment that protects the rights of both employers and legal migrant workers.

Details of the results of the field campaigns

Official statistics revealed detailed information about the violations that were detected, with a total of (18,200) violators, distributed as follows:

• Violators of the residency system: (11,442) violators, who are the largest segment of those who were apprehended.
• Violators of the border security system: (3,931) violators.
• Violators of the labor system: (2,827) violators.

Security operations also included close monitoring of illegal border crossings, resulting in the apprehension of 1,762 individuals attempting to infiltrate the Kingdom. Yemeni nationals constituted the majority (46%) and Ethiopian nationals (53%). Conversely, 46 individuals were apprehended while attempting to leave the country illegally. The crackdown extended beyond the violators themselves to include those assisting them, with 11 individuals arrested for their involvement in transportation, harboring, employment, and concealment.

Measures taken and strict penalties

A large number of undocumented migrants are currently undergoing legal procedures, with a total of 25,477 individuals being processed, including 23,443 men and 2,034 women. Immediate steps have been taken to address their situations, including referring 18,685 undocumented migrants to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while another 3,011 were referred to complete their travel arrangements. A total of 14,451 undocumented migrants have already been deported to their home countries.

In this context, the Ministry of Interior reiterated its strong warning to anyone who facilitates the entry of violators of the border security regulations into the Kingdom, or provides them with shelter or any other form of assistance. It emphasized that these actions constitute serious crimes warranting arrest and are considered breaches of honor and integrity, with penalties reaching up to 15 years imprisonment, a fine of up to one million riyals, confiscation of the vehicle and residence used, and public shaming of the perpetrator. The Ministry urged citizens and residents to immediately report any violations via the designated numbers (911), (999), and (996) throughout the Kingdom.