Riyadh – Saudi Border Guards recently thwarted several attempts to plant land mines and smuggle weapons and more than half ton of weed at the southern border, according to the Saudi Ministry of Interior.

Thirty smugglers were arrested, including 19 Ethiopians, seven Yemenis, three Saudis and one person of an unknown nationality, said the spokesperson. The ministry reported that 1,265 infiltrators — including 847 Yemenis, 309 Ethiopians and 16 Somalis, among others — were also arrested.

In an exchange of gunfire with smugglers, three were killed and two injured. Eight military land mines, 23 weaponry pieces, and 32,160 rounds of live ammunition were seized. An estimated 607 kilograms of weed were also captured by authorities.

The Interior Ministry said there is a security threat to the Saudi-Yemeni border. Threats include terrorist attempts to attack border posts, plant land mines and smuggle explosives, weapons and drugs, in addition to attempts to threaten the lives of security and military men.