REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, RIYADH -- Saudi Arabia has thwarted a plot to smuggle drugs and weapons and carry out human trafficking activities through the kingdom's border crossings, local Okaz daily said on Monday.

A hostile body allocated more than 2.5 billion U.S. dollars to recruit about 2,000 people inside and outside the country to commit these criminal acts, the report said, adding that the oil- rich country had taken all measures to put "this terrorist cell" under security control.

The cell received support from a number of neighboring poor countries, and some Gulf countries which have good relations with the kingdom are targeted by these acts, according to the report.

The plot aims at spreading narcotics among Saudi youths especially in universities, schools and closed cafes.

Saudi Arabia has been fighting drug smuggling for years through tough punishments. The country confiscated 48.5 million narcotics pills in 2012.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika