Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Security authorities have intensified their campaign to nab residency law violators in the holy city of Makkah.

Some localities of the holy city were cordoned off and suspicious places were raided by security forces comprising various divisions. The security teams were backed by the Saudi Electricity Company, the Civil Defense and Saudi Red Crescent Authority, besides citizen volunteers.

“We have arrested 451 expatriates who were found to be living in the country contravening the residency law,” said a statement issued by the regional police headquarters in Jeddah.

All those arrested were referred to the concerned authorities for further action, it stated.

Col. Aati Al-Qurashi, the provincial police spokesman, said police in the region would continue to conduct combing operations to nab violators and curb other offenses and crimes.

The security forces have been focusing on illegal expatriates who are scattered around the holy city including nearby mountains. Many of these violators indulge in illegal activities.

Last month, police conducted several raids and arrested scores of illegal residents in the holy city.