Saudi Arabian authorities have dismantled a major narcotics network involving 37 individuals, including citizens employed in various ministries and several foreign nationals.
The network was caught illegally trading in amphetamine, methamphetamine—commonly known as shabu—and tablets classified under medical circulation regulations.
The Ministry of Interior made the announcement on Sunday, revealing that among those arrested were 28 Saudi citizens. Alarmingly, several of them were working in key governmental sectors.
According to the ministry, the network included one employee from the Ministry of Interior itself, one from the Ministry of National Guard, two from the Ministry of Defence, and one from the Ministry of Health.
In addition to the Saudi nationals, the group also comprised five Syrian expatriates, one Yemeni expatriate, one Saudi resident, and two Ethiopian nationals who had violated border security regulations.
Authorities said the arrests followed a coordinated security operation aimed at curbing the spread of narcotics across the Kingdom. The suspects were immediately referred to the Public Prosecution after undergoing the necessary legal procedures.
In a statement, the Ministry of Interior reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to national security, stating, “The Kingdom will confront anyone who dares to undermine its security and will arrest all involved parties, regardless of their affiliations.”
The ministry also emphasized the strategic importance of ongoing vigilance against organized criminal attempts to flood the country with drugs, particularly substances that target the youth.
The bust comes amid a series of intensified crackdowns on drug smuggling and illegal trafficking across Saudi Arabia. In recent years, the government has adopted stricter surveillance and border control measures to combat the rise in drug-related crimes.
Officials say that the involvement of ministry personnel makes the case particularly severe and underscores the extent to which criminal networks may try to infiltrate institutions of power. “This case is a clear example of our resolve to fight criminal activity even within our own ranks,” a security official added.
Public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives have also been bolstered to inform communities about the dangers of drug use and trafficking.
The Ministry of Interior concluded its statement with a renewed pledge to protect the Kingdom and its citizens: “We will remain firm in our actions against criminal elements who seek to poison our society.”