“Police sweeps this week resulted in the arrest of at least 23 criminal suspects, and men and women overstayers," police spokesman Col. Misfer Al-Juaid told Arab News.
Crimes that were thwarted included drug and alcohol dealing, car theft, fraud, operating unlicensed businesses and harboring illegal immigrants.
“Those arrested in this week’s raids are in police custody now and they will be transferred — along with items seized as evidence during the raid — to concerned authorities," Al-Juaid said.
The police spokesman also said that authorities have shut down a number of illegal pilgrim-smuggling operations through checkpoints established in Jeddah on roads to and from the seaport, the airport and the bus station. Haj pilgrims are required to have permits to perform the pilgrimage as a crowd-control measure.
Police Director Maj. Gen. Ali Muhammad Al-Ghamdi commended citizen cooperation in informing police of illegal activities.
"The police force works hand-in-hand with citizens in order to eradicate unwanted activities from all residential areas," he said.
Citizens are advised to call 642-5550 if they witness suspicious activities.
