Southern Military Zone thwarts attempt to smuggle arms, drugs

AMMAN — The Southern Military Zone on Wednesday thwarted the attempt of several people to infiltrate borders and smuggle a "large" amount of weapons, ammunition and narcotic pills coming from the western front. 

An official military source in the General Command of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) said that rapid response patrols were deployed and rules of engagement were applied, which led to the smugglers' retreat, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Searching the area, army personnel found 127 pistols of different types, 248 cartridge holders and 176 Captagon pills, adding that the confiscated items were transferred to the competent authorities. 

The source stressed that JAF will deal "firmly" with these attempts to protect Jordan's borders and prevent any infiltration or smuggling operations and will be vigilant to foil any endeavour to tamper with Jordan's national security.