RIAYDH, 12 August 2007 -- The Saudi Border Patrol has captured 198,806 undocumented migrants and 171,461 pieces of ammunition since the beginning of the current Hijra year (Jan. 20) until July 14, officials announced yesterday.
According to Maj. Gen. Hamoud ibn Marzooq Al-Roqi, the Border Guard spokesman, border officers also detained 1,391 smugglers and seized 9,248 kg of cannabis resin (hash), 347 kg of heroin and 190,7831 kg of qat, the leaves of the Catha edullis shrub chewed for its stimulating effect. The official also said 1,317 bottles of liquor have been seized.
Other weaponry was also seized, including 417 assorted small arms, 191 sticks of dynamite, 227 bundles of detonation wire, 76 assorted conventional bombs, 80 assorted parts used for making bombs, and 57 rocket propelled grenades.
Less provocative confiscations of illegally imported goods included: 15,379 heads of cattle, about 2.3 million kg of food products, 42,848 kg of cigarettes, 2,700 kg of tobacco leaves, 4,150 kg of goro (an African fruit with a slight stimulating effect similar to cigarettes), 23,549 kg of shammah (tobacco snuff) and 57,321 kg of tunbak (dipping tobacco).
Thirty-six cars used in smuggling the prohibited materials were also impounded, along with seven bicycles, three binoculars, 287 mobile phones and eight pieces of GPS equipment.
The Border Guard Patrol also said that in this same period 508 illegal crossers, 12 smugglers, 128 kg of hashish, 1,558 pieces of ammunition and 110 weapons were captured entering the Kingdom through the Iraqi border.
Of late, the Kingdom has intensified patrols along its border with neighboring countries foiling attempts to smuggle huge quantities of arms, explosives and narcotics into the country.
The government has constituted a special force of border guard personnel to boost its capability to fight organized crime and illegal movement across the borders.
By Abdul Hannan Faisal Tago
© Arab News 2007
