The Department of Public Security has arrested 1,106 pilgrims who violated Haj rules and regulations, 593 people for transporting illegal pilgrims, 2,296 unidentified individuals, and 83 people for transporting unidentified people and infiltrators.

One expat who tried to illegally enter the holy sites was seriously injured after falling from a mountain in Taif while navigating rough terrain along an unauthorized route, according to the security authorities.

Nawaf Al-Bouq, Jeddah police spokesman told Arab News: “The police blocked all roads to prevent illegal pilgrims to enter the holy cities. Illegal pilgrims will face hard punishments, while the Haj authorities warned many times there is no place for illegal pilgrims in the holy cities.”

Officers also closed down 74 bogus Haj offices, deported 25,188 people who did not have Haj permits, and confiscated 13,423 vehicles because the drivers violated the vehicle entry system in Makkah and the holy sites.

The department urged citizens and residents to cooperate with security officers and not break the law by transporting illegal pilgrims.

Sources said Makkah criminal investigation officers arrested a citizen for collecting more than SR65,000 from people claiming he could help them perform Haj.

The police also arrested people of various nationalities because they formed gangs to rob people, said Lt. Assaf bin Salem Al-Qurashi, chief of police, who is leading the investigations.

Lt. Col. Abdulmuhsin Al-Maiman, press spokesman for Makkah police, said detectives were able to bust a fake Haj operation called “Al-Falah” run by three Kuwaitis. They were detained at Al-Aziziyah police station.

Al-Maiman said officers arrested a Saudi and Yemeni national for running a fake company. The two perpetrators had a sum of SR12,000 in their possession and were detained in Al-Aziziyah.

The police arrested a Kuwaiti national for selling coupons for sacrificial lambs and found a sum of SR6,100 on him. Officers also arrested 25 pilgrims because they had no Haj permits and detained them at Al-Share’ police station.

Al-Maiman said a man was arrested while performing a “substitute Haj.” Officers also busted a fake Haj company run by two Kuwaitis, who had SR93,760 in their possession.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs announced that 5,500 of an expected 6,400 Kuwaitis have arrived for Haj. Kuwait had its quota reduced from 8,000 for this year’s Haj.