RIYADH: The Interior Ministry on Monday warned citizens and expatriates against transporting foreign pilgrims to cities other than Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah and described it as a serious crime that will be severely punished.
The ministry, in a statement, said smuggling people coming to the Kingdom on Haj or Umrah visas to other cities risks imprisonment, fines and confiscation of their vehicles.
“Anyone caught smuggling pilgrims or visitors to any city or town other than Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah will face imprisonments of up to two years or a fine of SR100,000 or both,” the ministry said. “If the violations are repeated, the vehicle would be impounded,” it added.
The ministry asked people arriving or leaving the Kingdom by land or sea to use official border points and that failure to do so may lead to prison terms of seven days to 30 months or fines ranging from SR300 to SR25,000.
It also considered receiving or dropping off people or material at any border point other than the designated outposts as a crime that will subject the violators to imprisonment of a minimum term of seven days and a maximum of 30 months and fines ranging from SR500 to SR25,000.