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5 Filipinos arrested in Riyadh for alleged theft, drug possession

Philippines | National

5 Filipinos arrested in Riyadh for alleged theft, drug possession

By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

At A Glance

Authorities said the suspects were caught with the stolen personal belongings and the narcotic methamphetamine (shabu) found in their possession.

Riyadh Region Police announced the arrest of five Filipino nationals accused of stealing from homes and possessing illegal drugs, Saudi Arabia’s Public Security said on Aug. 23.

Photo from the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior/Public Security (X/Twitter)

Photo from the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior/Public Security (X/Twitter)

Authorities said the suspects were caught with the stolen personal belongings and the narcotic methamphetamine (shabu) found in their possession.

The report did not disclose the identities of the arrested Filipinos.

“They were detained, legal procedures were taken against them, and they were referred to the Public Prosecution,” the Public Security statement read. The statement was in Arabic and translated using AI.

The original announcement, posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Aug. 23 with a short video, carried the caption in Arabic: “شرطة منطقة الرياض تقبض على (5) مقيمين لسرقتهم منازل وما تحويه من مقتنيات شخصية” (“Riyadh Region Police arrest five residents for stealing from homes and taking personal belongings”).

Another post from the same account stated that the five Filipinos were residents and that the recovered evidence included both personal effects and narcotics.

The accompanying photo released by authorities showed the suspects, their backs turned to the camera, alongside several items laid out on a table, including bags, wallets, and accessories.

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila have yet to issue a statement regarding the arrests.

Related Tags

PH-Saudi Arabia OFW DFA saudi arabia

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