Army thwarts infiltration, drug smuggling attempt from Syria

AMMAN — A military source from the Jordanian Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) revealed on Thursday evening that the Eastern Military Zone thwarted an attempt to infiltrate and smuggle "large" quantities of narcotics coming from Syrian territory into Jordan.

The source explained that Border Guard forces, drug control management, and military security detected a group of smugglers attempting to illegally cross into the Kingdom from Syria, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Quick response patrols rushed to the site and applied rules of engagement, injuring a smuggler and forcing the others to retreat, the military source said.

The items that were seized and handed to relevant authorities included 200,000 Captagon pills and 209 kilograms of hashish.

The source stressed that the JAF will continue to "firmly" deal with any threat to Jordan's borders, and will foil any endeavours intended to undermine and destabilise the Kingdom's security to terrorise its citizens.

The Public Security Directorate Spokesperson stated on Friday morning that a security force raided drug smugglers of Arab nationality that had illegally infiltrated Jordan.

The smuggler’s hiding place was found to be in tents in the desert area of Ruwaished, identified after gathering intelligence information. After the raid fired towards the security force, the rapid response teams applied rules of engagement, using direct fire protocols.

Three individuals were detained, one of whom was injured and killed during the confrontation.