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RIYADH: More than 922 kg of banned substances, including more than 20 million pills, have been seized in ºÚÁÏÉçÇø over the past year, the Kingdom’s customs authority announced on Thursday as officials marked the UN’s world anti-drug day.

One recent drug bust in cooperation with authorities from the Syrian Arab Republic thwarted an attempt to smuggle 200,000 amphetamine tablets from the Levant nation, a Ministry of Interior spokesperson said via the Saudi Press Agency.

The announcement was made as a number of awareness events were held across the country on Thursday — the UN’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Events in the Riyadh and Asir regions will run until Saturday, educating members of the public about the dangers of drugs.

Smugglers have attempted to bring contraband into the country in various ways, by concealing the items in shipments of food, household utensils, vehicles, shoes and even inside their body cavities, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority said.

The organization places the fight against drugs as one of its top priorities and will continue to tighten security at the Kingdom’s borders, it added.

Jasim Mohamed Albudaiwi, the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said that the GCC countries see drug control measures as a top priority.

The GCC states have formed a united front to tackle the use and trade of illicit substances which endanger families and society, he added.

Albudaiwi also stressed the importance of reintegrating recovering drug addicts into society, and highlighted the role that schools, the media, religious leaders and civil society’s institutions play in stopping the use of drugs.

Meanwhile, the Naif College for National Security in Riyadh celebrated the graduation of 63 trainees of various courses on Thursday, including anti-drug programs.

The ceremony was attended by Maj. Gen. Muhammad bin Saeed Al-Qarni, the director general of narcotics control, who congratulated the graduates and stressed that the Kingdom’s anti-drug programs received the full support of the country’s leadership.

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority has called on members of the public to contribute to the fight against drug smuggling in order to protect society and the Kingdom’s economy.

Reports can be made to the domestic telephone number 1910, internationally via 009661910, or via email at [email protected].

All reports are treated with confidentiality, the authority said, and accurate information will be rewarded financially.

RIYADH: The Djibouti Embassy in Riyadh donned patriotic colors as its staff celebrated their national day on Wednesday night, hosting a befitting reception to mark the occasion.

On the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the National Independence of Djibouti, Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti to ºÚÁÏÉçÇø and the dean of the Diplomatic Corps, hosted an official reception at the Cultural Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter.

The event was attended by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of Riyadh Region, as guest of honor and patron, and Prince Sultan bin Salman, the founder and chairman of the Saudi Aviation Club.

The reception was also attended by numerous princes, ambassadors, distinguished business leaders, media professionals, artists, and members of the Saudi and Djibouti community.

Addressing the gathering the ambassador highlighted Djibouti’s remarkable achievements over the past five decades, particularly in terms of security, stability, and sustainable development.

He also emphasized the deep and sincere fraternal relations that unite the leaderships and people of the two nations.

Furthermore, the ambassador reaffirmed Djibouti’s firm and unwavering position in support of the Palestinian cause, advocating for the restoration of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, including the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø also strongly supports the two-state solution as the path to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Palestine is officially recognized by 147 of the UN’s 193 member states and has observer status at the UN.

The ambassador also reiterated Djibouti’s commitment to a calm, constructive, and principled diplomacy, actively working to promote peace in the region and around the world, rejecting wars and advocating for dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and sustainable development.