Mahab Ebada, an official at the municipality, said the measure was taken on the directives of Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar.“We have intensified our campaign against sales of fraudulent sobia by certain expatriate workers in different parts of the city,” Ebada said.He said the drink prepared by these people does not comply with health standards. “We’ll impose the stiffest punishment on those who try to sell such drinks,” he added.Ebada said the municipality gives top priority to the health of citizens and pilgrims. “We’ll not be lenient in this matter,” he added.The municipality recently raided an underground warehouse in Al-Shouqiya and found a group of illegal expatriates preparing the drink using unhygienic ingredients and utensils.The municipality then seized 6,000 liters of sobia as well as the materials used for preparing the drink.Ebada cautioned citizens and residents against purchasing such unhygienic drinks and foodstuffs from suspicious parties and unlicensed street vendors. He urged the public to inform the municipality about the sale of unhygienic food and drink on the market.
