JEDDAH: Police plan to detain 38 landlords who provided shelter for 351 illegals, including several wanted criminals. Jeddah police already arrested four landlords during raids Wednesday in several districts where illegal expats gather. The raids were carried out in cooperation with the Civil Defense, Red Crescent, Al-Mujahideen and other security agencies.

Police had received reports from citizens about suspicious activities of some people. These reports were investigated and raids were launched under the supervision of Maj. Gen. Masoud bin Faisal Al-Adwani, city police chief. The campaigns have seen crime rates fall.

The government crackdown on illegal workers will see offenders reportedly face fines of up to SR100,000, two years in jail and deportation. The government is targeting foreigners who overstay their visas or are working with incorrect documents, and those who employ or harbor them.

Most crimes in the Kingdom are committed by people who have overstayed their visas.

As a result, the government has intensified its campaign against overstayers, according to a report in local media recently.