RIYADH: Hundreds of people have been arrested as Saudi authorities thwarted attempts to smuggle large quantities of drugs into the Kingdom this month. Border Guards spokesman Col. Misfer Al-Quraini, said that land patrols in Najran, Jazan, Asir and Tabuk thwarted attempts to smuggle 29.2 tons of khat, and 766 kilograms of hashish between Dec. 3 and Dec. 24. He said 361 smugglers had been arrested, including 23 Saudis, 261 Yemenis, 70 Ethiopians and seven Eritreans. Al-Quraini added that initial legal procedures have been taken against them, and that the contraband was handed over to the competent authority.