The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced today in a statement a new security achievement, adding to its impressive record. It successfully thwarted 1,202 attempts to smuggle contraband through various land, sea, and air customs ports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in just one week. These efforts reflect the vital role the Authority plays as the first line of defense in protecting the security and economy of the community.

The seizures included a wide range of prohibited substances that pose a direct threat to social security and public health. ZATCA explained that the confiscated items included 64 types of highly dangerous narcotics, such as hashish, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, as well as large quantities of Captagon pills, which specifically target young people. Authorities also seized 546 other prohibited substances, 12 types of weapons and related equipment, and uncovered 11 cases of smuggling involving undeclared sums of money, often linked to money laundering and the financing of illicit activities. In addition, the smuggling of 2,426 tobacco products, intended to evade applicable duties and taxes, was thwarted.

A strategic role in protecting the homeland

These high-quality operations reflect the Kingdom's comprehensive strategy, aligned with the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to build a safe and prosperous society. The Kingdom's strategic geographic location, which makes it a global logistics hub, places a heightened responsibility on its security and customs agencies to secure its borders against organized crime networks that seek to exploit international trade to smuggle their illicit goods.

Effects that extend beyond local boundaries

The success of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority in thwarting these large quantities of contraband has an impact not only on the local level but also on regional and international security. Every successful seizure contributes to dismantling a link in the chain of transnational smuggling networks and limits their ability to deliver their poisons to other countries, thus reaffirming the Kingdom's role as an active and reliable partner in combating organized crime on the global stage. Protecting society from the scourge of drugs, preventing the spread of illicit weapons, and combating tax evasion are all fundamental pillars for achieving sustainable development and stability.

In closing its statement, ZATCA reiterated its firm commitment to tightening customs control over all imports and exports of the Kingdom, stressing the importance of continued cooperation and coordination with its partners in the security and military authorities to unify efforts and tighten the noose on anyone who tries to compromise the security and safety of the homeland and its resources.

The General Authority for Real Estate announced the commencement of a new phase of the real estate registration project in the Kingdom. This phase includes one property in the Al-Mughterah neighborhood of Dhurma Governorate in the Riyadh region, and another property in the Al-Hudaybiyah neighborhood of the Makkah region. The registration period is scheduled to begin on February 1, 2026 (corresponding to 13 Sha'ban 1447 AH) and continue until May 7, 2026 (corresponding to 20 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1447 AH).

Historical background and strategic context

This announcement represents a significant step in implementing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to develop, regulate, and enhance the efficiency of the real estate sector. The new property registration system marks a qualitative shift from the previous system based on personal deeds to a system that uses the property itself as the fundamental unit of registration. Instead of linking ownership to an individual, the new system assigns each property a unique identity through a distinctive registration number and precise geospatial information, thus preventing duplicate ownership and significantly reducing real estate disputes.

Project importance and expected impact

The importance of the Real Estate Registry lies in its role as the cornerstone for building a reliable and transparent real estate sector. Locally , the system will provide absolute protection for property owners' rights, as the title deed issued by the registry becomes conclusive and unchallengeable. It will also facilitate buying, selling, and mortgage transactions, thereby enhancing market liquidity. Nationally , the project will contribute to increasing the attractiveness of the Kingdom's investment environment and encourage local and foreign investment in the real estate sector, given the existence of a clear and reliable legal framework that protects assets. Furthermore, it will provide an accurate and comprehensive real estate database that supports urban planning efforts and infrastructure development in Saudi cities.

Registration mechanism and required steps

The General Authority for Real Estate called on property owners in the designated neighborhoods to register during the announced period. The process can be completed electronically through the Real Estate Registry platform (rer.sa) or by visiting designated service centers. The Authority emphasized that the essential requirement for completing registration is a fully documented electronic title deed that meets all regulatory requirements. Upon completion of registration, a new title deed will be issued for each property unit, including its descriptive data, legal status, and any associated rights and obligations, supported by accurate geospatial data.

The authority explained that these neighborhoods were selected based on specific criteria, and confirmed that the remaining areas and neighborhoods to be included in the upcoming phases of the project across the Kingdom will be announced subsequently. For any inquiries, beneficiaries can contact the customer service center at 199002 or visit the authority's official platforms.