RIYADH: Riyadh Municipality confiscated and destroyed 45 large barrels and three drums of pickles during a recent crackdown on illegal businesses.

Engr. Abdullah Al-Tayyar, head of the Rawdah Municipality, said that penalties and sanctions were also imposed on the suspects for engaging in business without the required permits. Al-Tayyar said that the barrels and drums were found by municipal inspectors in a rest house in Rawdah District east of the Saudi capital. “The pickles were being prepared in an unsanitary manner which is in violation of the municipality’s rules and regulations on food safety and health,” he said, adding that preparing the pickles in a rest house is also illegal.

Al-Tayyar added that municipality inspectors also seized 18 kiosks used by peddlers selling different products in the Rawdah area in the eastern part of Riyadh.

“The products being sold included food such as juice and water, decorative tools, cosmetics and perfumes, toys for children, among others,” he said.

He said that many of the peddlers did not have the necessary permits from the municipality to operate, and endangered public health and safety.

He said the confiscation is in conjunction with the municipality’s ongoing crackdown on illegal businesses that violate local laws and regulations.

The municipality also sent inspectors to other areas. They seized 14 vehicles, 1,900 cartons of vegetables and fruits, carpets, and winter accessories and supplies, which were delivered to charitable institutions.