Yemeni border authorities have intercepted more than 1.5 million Captagon pills in a major drug smuggling operation from Houthi-controlled Sanaa to Saudi Arabia. Officials believe the size of the shipment signals a potential shift in Captagon production from Syria to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi regions.
The bust took place at the Wadiah border crossing, where security officers became suspicious of a cooling truck. Upon inspection, they discovered the narcotics carefully concealed inside. The truck driver later confessed during questioning that he had picked up the cargo in Sanaa and was instructed to deliver it to an unknown contact in the Saudi city of Sharurah.
According to Omair al-Azab, head of security at the crossing, multiple recent seizures point to growing drug smuggling activity. These include a ton of cannabis, 15,000 Captagon pills, four kilograms of methamphetamine, and over 27,000 other pills. In February, Yemeni and Saudi authorities destroyed over three tons of various seized narcotics.
Security forces remain on high alert as traffickers continue to use inventive smuggling methods—hiding drugs in watermelons, tires, and vehicle seats. Saleh al-Baidhani, a Yemen Embassy attaché in Riyadh, warned that Houthis may now be producing Captagon domestically. He called for stronger coordination between Saudi and Yemeni forces to curb the escalating threat.
Baidhani condemned the drug trade, highlighting its devastating impact on Arab youth and regional stability.
13 June 2025
