In a three-hour operation on Wednesday morning at Jeddah’s vegetable market, police officers arrested dozens of workers for not having proper documentation.

Two busloads of inspectors from the passport, police and labor departments, and representatives of the governorate, positioned themselves on either side of the market.

The central vegetable market is a commercial hub where expatriates run businesses on behalf of other people. It is a major part of the food sector in the city.

The police teams randomly checked the documents of a few hundred employees and visitors in the market’s yard. Many of those arrested are from Yemen and Pakistan.

A Yemeni expatriate told Arab News: “I was detained but when I showed my iqama with my shop owner’s details, the police released me without any problem.”

When the police arrived, several expatriates tried to flee, but officers managed to stop them. A Pakistani worker told Arab News that the police ignored dozens of expatriates who rushed forward and wanted officers to arrest and deport them.

Many expatriates who were in the market to shop for vegetables and other food made a quick exit when the police arrived.

The central vegetable market has been badly affected by falling supplies from various provinces since the end of the grace period, resulting in prices shooting up. Police raids in farming areas in Jazan, Baha, Taif and Asir is reportedly behind the dwindling supplies to Jeddah.