RIYADH: The police raided a kitchen in Rihab Balhamiya in the northern part of Taif province and arrested 19 Yemeni expats for illegally producing large quantities of tortilla.
“These Yemenis did not have the necessary permit to manufacture tortillas,” said Lt. Col. Abdulrahman Al-Qureshi, head of the criminal investigation division. He said that the police raid was conducted after long surveillance and thorough investigation of the Yemeni expats’ clandestine operations.
Col. Al-Qureshi said that aside from arresting the 19 Yemeni expats, the materials they used in producing tortillas were also confiscated.
He said that if the Yemenis were not caught, they would deliver the tortillas to the different outlets like restaurants and stores in various parts of the province.
He said the tortillas, which are a thin flatbread made from finely ground wheat flour, would be stored in preparation for Ramadan.
Al-Qureshi added that the demand for tortillas increases during the holy month so that there’s a need to monitor their production to ensure public safety.
He said that aside from operating without permit, there was also much to be desired as far as sanitation was concerned.
“Since their operation was clandestine, proper authorities were not able to inspect their premises as well as equipment to ensure that the health of the public is not endangered,” he said.
He added that the police are also monitoring other clandestine operations to produce tortillas to ensure compliance with law and ensure the safety of public health.
“We are also closely monitoring other clandestine operations about which we have received tips from various informants like concerned citizens,” he said.
“These Yemenis did not have the necessary permit to manufacture tortillas,” said Lt. Col. Abdulrahman Al-Qureshi, head of the criminal investigation division. He said that the police raid was conducted after long surveillance and thorough investigation of the Yemeni expats’ clandestine operations.
Col. Al-Qureshi said that aside from arresting the 19 Yemeni expats, the materials they used in producing tortillas were also confiscated.
He said that if the Yemenis were not caught, they would deliver the tortillas to the different outlets like restaurants and stores in various parts of the province.
He said the tortillas, which are a thin flatbread made from finely ground wheat flour, would be stored in preparation for Ramadan.
Al-Qureshi added that the demand for tortillas increases during the holy month so that there’s a need to monitor their production to ensure public safety.
He said that aside from operating without permit, there was also much to be desired as far as sanitation was concerned.
“Since their operation was clandestine, proper authorities were not able to inspect their premises as well as equipment to ensure that the health of the public is not endangered,” he said.
He added that the police are also monitoring other clandestine operations to produce tortillas to ensure compliance with law and ensure the safety of public health.
“We are also closely monitoring other clandestine operations about which we have received tips from various informants like concerned citizens,” he said.
