Latest news with #amphetamine
Khaleej Times
06-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
Saudi Arabia busts massive drug network with 37 members, including 28 citizens
Saudi Arabia authorities busted a drug network that illegally trades amphetamine, methamphetamine (shabu) and tablets subject to medical circulation regulations. The narcotic network consisted of 37 members who were arrested, including 28 citizens, some of them from various ministries. An official at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior announced that the network's members included one citizen from the Ministry of Interior, one from Ministry of National Guard, two from Ministry of Defence, and one from Ministry of Health. Other than citizens, the network also included five Syrian expats, one Yemeni expat, one Saudi resident, and two Ethiopians who violated the border security system. The necessary legal measures were taken, and they were referred to the Public Prosecution. Authorities said this confirms that they "will confront anyone who dares to undermine the security of the Kingdom, and arrest anyone who participates in them, whoever they may be." Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior added that authorities are vigilant against all criminal plots being hatched to target the nation and its youth with drugs. Saudi Arabia
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Emmerdale's Lucy Pargeter 'engaged to drug lord who bought equipment for Breaking Bad-style amphetamine lab'
Emmerdale star Lucy Pargeter is engaged to a member of a drug gang who supplied equipment for what is believed to be Britain's biggest ever amphetamine factory. The actress was pictured visiting HMP Hollesley Bay in Suffolk, where her fiancé Elliott Walker, 54, is jailed, The Sun on Sunday reported. Walker, of Kidbrooke, southeast London, was sentenced to six years behind bars in December 2021 for his part in the creation of a giant drug production facility in picturesque Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire. On September 17 that year he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce class B drugs, after admitting he bought specialist equipment for the lab. Run by gangster John Keet, the West Midlands lab was capable of producing 400 kilos of amphetamine per month, worth up to £10m on the streets. Lucy, 48, who has played Chas Dingle in the ITV soap since 2002, and revealed three years ago there was a new beau in the picture. Speaking on the podcast The Heal Is Real in 2022, she said: 'I'm in a new relationship now. Exclusive. Don't say anything.' Rumours ramped up in July last year after the soap star shared a clip to Instagram showcasing a new huge diamond ring on her wedding finger. Sharing a video of her unwrapping a new painting, the new piece of jewellery was put on full display when she teared back the pink tissue paper. While Walker's identity has been a secret until now, once released he would be stepfather to the three daughters Lucy shares with former long-term partner Rudi Coleano. The couple never married but Lucy gave birth to Lola in 2005 and then twins Betsy and Missy in 2017 following a long IVF journey. Lucy and Rudi came close to marrying in 2012, but opted against it for fear of upsetting their friends. Speaking to The Sun at the time, Lucy said: 'We were in Dubai about a month ago and we said: "Sod it, while we're here, let's do it". 'Then I thought all our mates would be like, "Oh cheers, thanks for the invite".' Instead Lucy and Rudi confirmed the news of their split in a statement to Digital Spy, 12 months after first confirming their engagement in 2019. A spokesperson said at the time: 'Lucy Pargeter has confirmed she has separated from her long term partner Rudi Coleano and while no longer together their main priority is raising their three daughters.' National Crime Agency investigators infiltrated the secretive app EncroChat that gangster John Keet was using along to run the lab with his associates Lucy is believed to have made a 500-mile round journey to see Walker in the category D jail. A source told The Sun on Sunday: 'Her relationship has been the talk of the prison because some other visitors obviously recognised Lucy the other day as she's been on Emmerdale for ages. 'And Elliott has made no secret of telling other inmates she's his fiancee.' The gang members were all arrested on suspicion of drug offences at their home addresses on the same day the factory was raided. John Keet, of Chalfont St Giles, Bucks, admitted conspiracy to produce amphetamines, one count of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, two counts of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, one count of conspiracy to import class B drugs and one of conspiracy to conceal, convert of transfer criminal property. He was jailed for a total of 18 years at Kingston Crown Court. Andrew Gurney, 52, known as 'The Geek' due to his specialist electrical installation and plumbing skills, converted a double garage outbuilding into the drugs lab. Gurney, was convicted of conspiracy to produce amphetamine and money laundering. He was originally jailed for six years and three months but the Court of Appeal found the sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 10 years. Keith Davis, also of Chalfont St Giles, was convicted of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and money laundering. He was originally jailed for five years before the Court of Appeal doubled his sentence to 10 years. Bartosz Kaminski, of Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, admitted possession of a CS spray but was cleared of drugs offences.
The National
02-07-2025
- The National
Saudi-Lebanese operation foils smuggling of five million amphetamine pills
A joint Saudi-Lebanese operation has thwarted an attempt to smuggle more than five million amphetamine pills. The bust was made possible through intelligence gathered by the Saudi General Directorate of Narcotics Control, Interior Ministry security spokesman Col Talal bin Shalhoub said on Tuesday. The intelligence was shared with Lebanon's Customs Anti-Narcotics Division, leading to the interception of the shipment. Lebanese officials at the Beirut port seized a container holding the pills and arrested one suspect linked to the operation. The pills were concealed inside glass and porcelain tableware, loaded in a container that had originated in a third country before arriving in Lebanon. According to Lebanese media, the smugglers intended to route the shipment through Georgia to Saudi Arabia. The reports added that the use of a transit country was meant to evade detection, particularly following a series of high-profile drug seizures involving direct shipments from Lebanon and Syria to Gulf states. Col bin Shalhoub praised the 'constructive co-operation' with Lebanese officials, emphasising that Saudi Arabia 'remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantling criminal networks targeting the kingdom and its youth with narcotics'. He reaffirmed Riyadh's determination to disrupt smuggling routes and bring those responsible to justice. The operation highlights intensifying regional collaboration to confront the growing threat of amphetamine smuggling into the Gulf. Saudi Arabia has stepped up efforts in recent years to intercept drugs at their source and enhance intelligence-sharing with partners in a bid to dismantle networks. Lebanese Minister of Interior Ahmad Al Hajjar told the Saudi Al-Ikhbariya TV channel on Wednesday that Beirut was working 'in close co-ordination with the relevant agencies in Saudi Arabia to eliminate drug trafficking'. 'The kingdom is Lebanon's elder and caring brother, and we will not allow any harm to come to it,' added Mr Al Hajjar. In 2019, Saudi Arabia was Lebanon's largest market for agricultural exports, accounting for 22.1 per cent of total shipments, according to a Beirut government report. However, in April 2021, Riyadh suspended imports of Lebanese fruits and vegetables, citing repeated drug-smuggling attempts and accusing Lebanese authorities of failing to act. Following Lebanese President Joseph Aoun 's visit to Saudi Arabia in March, during which he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, both sides agreed to examine the obstacles preventing the resumption of Lebanese exports to the kingdom and explore the possibility of restoring travel for Saudi citizens to Beirut. Saudi Arabia has re-engaged diplomatically with Lebanon after years of estrangement, prompted largely by Iran's expanding influence in Lebanese affairs through its support for Hezbollah – the armed group that has long held significant political and military sway in the country. That dynamic began to shift in the aftermath of the war between Hezbollah and Israel, which concluded in November last year, ushering in a period of regional recalibration and renewed co-operation.
Al Arabiya
01-07-2025
- Al Arabiya
Saudi-Lebanese mission foils attempt to smuggle over 5 mln amphetamine pills
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior revealed Monday that it helped Lebanese Customs thwart an attempt to smuggle more than five million amphetamine pills, as part of the Kingdom's continued efforts to combat cross-border narcotics trafficking. The Kingdom provided critical intelligence that enabled Lebanon's Customs to seize a massive shipment of amphetamine pills, in a proactive move to disrupt international drug trafficking operations, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Security spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Interior, Talal al-Shalhoub, reportedly said the successful operation was the result of close coordination between Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Narcotics Control and Lebanese authorities. 'As part of proactive security monitoring of criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, the Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, provided intelligence that enabled Lebanon's Customs to foil an attempt to smuggle more than 5,000,000 amphetamine pills,' al-Shalhoub was quoted as saying. The narcotics were found concealed in glass and porcelain tableware inside a container that had been shipped from a third country to Lebanon, he added. Al-Shalhoub praised Lebanon's authorities for their cooperation and added that 'the Kingdom remains committed to combating criminal activities targeting its security and youth with narcotics, and to arresting those involved.' The operation highlights growing regional collaboration to tackle the illicit drug trade, particularly amid a rise in amphetamine smuggling attempts aimed at Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia has stepped up efforts in recent years to intercept drugs at their source and strengthen international intelligence-sharing to dismantle transnational criminal networks.
Arab News
01-07-2025
- Arab News
5m amphetamine pills seized after Saudi authorities tip off Lebanese customs
RIYADH: An attempt to smuggle over 5 million amphetamine pills into Lebanon was thwarted after Saudi authorities provided intel to their Lebanese counterparts who intercepted the container where the pills were concealed inside glass and porcelain tableware. Talal bin Shalhoub, spokesman of the Saudi Ministry of Interior, said that intel shared with the Lebanese Customs falls within Saudi Arabia's proactive security follow-up of the activities of drug smuggling criminal networks. He commended cooperation with relevant authorities in Lebanon in monitoring and seizing narcotic substances, stressing that the Kingdom continues to monitor, confront, and thwart criminal activities targeting the Kingdom's security and youth through narcotics, and to arrest those involved.
