Ahmad Al-Kinani, a university graduate, took his retired father’s vehicle to smuggle in the pilgrims to Mina on Friday, the first day of the annual pilgrimage, Al-Eqtisadiah business daily reported.

Al-Kinani told the newspaper that he transported pilgrims, both Saudis and expatriates, three times that day.

He had the advantage of the vehicle that could pass through rugged terrain quickly and easily.

“I tried to transport the pilgrims through the checkpoints and desert roads but was turned away three times. However, I managed to enter Makkah through the checkpoint on the old Makkah road,” he said.

According to Al-Kinani, his friends persuaded him to earn some money through this way.

“I had discussed the idea with my father more than once. He discouraged me against the risky adventure, saying that it would be difficult for me to cross rugged terrain unlike those professional smugglers who had much experience in transporting pilgrims illegally to the holy sites,” he said.

Al-Kinani admitted that he was afraid of the warning issued by the Passport Directorate who threatened to take punitive measures against those transporting pilgrims illegally.

“However, my friends encouraged me to venture out by using father’s vehicle which is fit to cross rugged desert terrain. My first trip was tiresome. On the second trip, I managed to sneak into the holy sites through the old Makkah road,” he said, adding that he encountered some dangers when undertaking the third trip through the Shumaisy checkpoint.