JEDDAH, 24 December — Police have arrested three cattle traders who set up cattle markets without a municipal license behind hills in the southern part of Jeddah.
Camels and goats offered for sale in these illegal markets have never been examined by veterinary doctors to ensure they are free from infectious diseases.
The municipal officials who raided the markets seized the livestock and destroyed the 17 pens being run by expatriate laborers. The officials also discovered that the cattle owners used to sell fresh camel milk illegally on nearby highways. While seven people involved in the illegal operations took to flight on seeing the municipal officials, four expatriates were caught by inspectors.
The detained individuals, who did not have valid residence documents, were handed over to the Passports Department.
The large number of cattle seized from these markets will be subjected to thorough medical examinations.
A source at the municipality said its officials inspected both the licensed and unlicensed pens while accompanying veterinary doctors examined the animals being offered for sale.
There have been numerous reports of expatriates setting up unauthorized cattle pens in the southern part of the city over the past two years. These open-air pens did not provide shade for the cattle and violated all other regulations laid down by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water as well as by the municipality.
The authorities do not allow cattle pens or markets inside or near residential areas. Slaughtering animals outside municipal slaughterhouses is banned.
Violators are fined up to SR5,000, the municipal source said.
