Saudi Customs Fines Man 3,800 Riyals for Attempting to Smuggle 380 Litres of Zamzam Water
Saudi customs authorities have fined a man 3,800 Saudi riyals for allegedly attempting to smuggle 380 litres of Zamzam water out of the country. He had tried to cross the border with the water hidden in the rear compartment of his vehicle.
According to Khaleej Times, citing Gulf News, the man was detained at the King Fahd Causeway Customs checkpoint in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. During a search of his vehicle, officials recovered 380 litres of Zamzam water concealed in the rear boot.
Under Saudi law, the export of Zamzam water is prohibited. Attempting to take it out of the country without proper declaration is considered smuggling under customs regulations. This was stated in a ruling by Riyadh’s Second Primary Customs Committee.
The committee fined the man 3,800 Saudi riyals, an amount equivalent to the value of the seized water. It also ordered the confiscation of all the recovered water.
The Public Prosecution had sought a prison sentence in addition to the fine and confiscation of the water. However, the committee rejected the request for imprisonment, citing the fact that the man had no previous criminal record. It also considered the financial penalty sufficient.
The ruling was issued under Articles 142, 144 and 145 of the Unified Customs Law of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which define customs smuggling offences and prescribe penalties for such violations.
Source: Khaleej Times
