Egypt detains man going to Saudi Arabia with banned pills

CAIRO – Authorities say a man from a Gulf Arab country who was travelling from Egypt to Saudi Arabia has been detained at the Cairo airport, allegedly attempting to take banned pills into the kingdom.

A statement from the airport authorities on Thursday says security officials found dozens of illegal pills in his luggage. Egypt prohibits the import and export of narcotic drugs.

The passenger, who was not identified, provided a prescription and proof of medical need. He is being examined by a doctor to verify his condition.

Last week, a French passenger was arrested at the Cairo airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle over a thousand pills of outlawed painkillers.