SAUDI ARABIA MAKES LARGEST EVER DRUG BUST OF FIVE TONS OF HASHISH

RIYADH - Saudi security forces made the kingdom's largest ever drug bust,
foiling a bid to smuggle in more than five tons of hashish, a newspaper
reported Tuesday, citing drug enforcement agency officials.

"The Drug Combating Department in the Riyadh region, in cooperation with
the customs at the dry port in Riyadh, foiled an attempt to smuggle 5,200
kilograms (11,464 pounds) of hashish into the kingdom," on Monday, Arab
News quoted the departments director as saying.

Eight suspects, "seven from an east Asian country and one Arab," were
arrested as they attempted to receive the cargo at a warehouse, said Major
General Othman al-Assaf.

Another three suspected of taking part in the operation were arrested
later, he added.

"The drug consignment contained 5,291 kilograms of hashish, which is the
largest quantity of drugs ever seized in the history of the kingdom of
Saudi Arabia," the official said.

Saudi Arabia applies a strict form of sharia, or Islamic law, and convicted
drug traffickers can face beheading.