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. 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.