RIYADH: More than 1,300 suspected drug smugglers have been arrested in Saudi Arabia in the past six months, officials have said.
The suspects include 453 Saudis and 853 foreigners belonging to 35 nationalities, local media said, quoting Ministry of Interior spokesman Mansour Al Turki.
Two suspected drug smugglers were killed and nine others injured during various security operations.
One security official also died, while 25 others sustained injuries, Al Turki said.
The alleged crimes included smuggling, selling and receiving narcotics, with 11.66m amphetamine capsules, 12 tons of hashish, 13 kilos of raw heroin and 188 grams of heroin seized.
A total of 703 weapons, including 52 machine guns, 584 revolvers, 67 guns and 28,460 live ammunition and SR16.92m also were seized.
The latest tally brings to 2237 people arrested in relation to drugs in the past 10 months.