Riyadh, Apr13(BNA)Saudi security authorities have foiled two attempts to smuggle 22,085,570 amphetamine pills via King Fahd Causeway, with an estimated market value of SR 1,038,021,790.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior said that the major operation was coordinated with specialised security authorities in Bahrain.

In a statement posted on Saudi Press Agency (SPA), an official security spokesman said that six smugglers involved in the case had been arrested. Police foiled the first attempt to smuggle 7, 660,000 amphetamine pills hidden in plastic reels on February 14, before thwarting a second attempt on March 5 to smuggle 14, 425, 570 pills via King Fahd Causeway.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the six smugglers are part of an international drug trafficking cartel led Syrian nationals who operate in a number of countries in the Middle East. The same spokesman said that the traffickers, who are in police custody, would be referred to the Sharia Court to stand trial, once legal procedures are finalised.

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BNA 1722 GMT 2014/04/13