3 Customs Authority officials arrested in Rabigh over SR2.23 million bribery charges

Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — An official source at the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) has announced the arrest of three employees from the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZTCA) at King Abdullah Port in Rabigh. The arrests were made in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior.

The employees, identified as Rashid Mohammed Al-Shabrami, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Jizani, and Saleh Hamoud Al-Harbi, are accused of accepting a total of SR2,232,000 in bribes from a number of expatriates.

The expatriates who have been arrested included four Yemenis — Osama Mohsen Al-Olaqi, Abdulaziz Omar Al-Qaeti, Hussein Omar Al-Qaeti and Saeed Awad Bazbaidi — in addition to a Pakistani investor Fouad Salahuddin Bair and Syrian national Mohammad Ghanim Al-Manla.

The bribes were reportedly exchanged for facilitating the smuggling and export of 372 shipping containers of restricted petroleum products, specifically diesel. The individuals used commercial entities’ names to carry out the smuggling operation.

Legal procedures are underway against those involved, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. The Nazaha has emphasized its commitment to tackling corruption, ensuring accountability, and maintaining a zero-tolerance stance against the exploitation of public office for personal gain