Saudi Security Forces Arrest 9,639 Illegal Residents In A Week
A total of 9639 illegal residents were arrested in Saudi Arabia in a week.The arrests were made during the inspections, carried out by the security forces in collaboration with the relevant government agencies, during the period between June 5 and June 11, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday.
Those who were arrested include 5,625 violators of the Residency Law, 2,797 violators of the Border Security Law, and 1,217 violators of the Labor Law. The ministry said that a total of 7,657 violators were deported while 8,630 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents and 840 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations.
The total number of people who were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom accounted for 1,117, of whom 28 percent were Yemeni nationals and 72 percent Ethiopian nationals. Some 35 people were arrested for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally. Ten people, involved in giving transportation, shelter, and employment for violators, were also arrested.
A total of 14,402 illegal residents, including 13,364 men and 1,038 women, are currently undergoing various phases of legal procedures as part of punitive measures against them.
The Ministry of Interior has warned that any person, who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, provides them with shelter or any other assistance or service may be penalized with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1 million. It noted that the vehicles used for transportation or houses used for giving shelter will be confiscated.
The ministry urged the public to report any cases of violation by calling the number 911 in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province and the numbers 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom's regions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
6 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
Video: Man Attempts To Stab Elderly Imam Outside Mosque In Riyadh
A viral video showing an attempted attack on a mosque imam as he exited the building has prompted immediate action by Saudi Ministry of Interior, which confirmed the arrest of the assailant in Riyadh. The footage, widely circulated on social media, shows the imam, an elderly man with a white beard, leaving the mosque when he is suddenly confronted by a man holding what appeared to be a knife. The imam manages to push the attacker back, and several bystanders also rushed in to intervene. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior released a statement confirming the arrest of the suspect, whose image was published on the ministry's official Snapchat account. Another image showed him from behind, in custody. 'Riyadh Police have arrested a person who appeared in a video attempting to assault another individual in front of a mosque,' the ministry said. 'He has been taken into custody, and legal procedures are underway. He has been referred to the Public Prosecution.' The incident took place in the Manfouha neighborhood of the capital. While social media users speculated the attacker may have attempted to stab the imam, authorities have not officially disclosed details the motive. In a separate development, the ministry added that it is also working to apprehend the individual who recorded and shared the video, citing violations of the Kingdom's Anti-Cybercrime Law, which prohibits unauthorized sharing of footage depicting criminal acts. No further information has been released about the imam's condition or any charges that may be filed against the attacker.
Gulf Insider
6 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
'Kuwaiti' Man Arrested With 1 Million Captagon Pills
Kuwaiti authorities have arrested a man in possession of one million Captagon pills, uncovering during the operation that he had also illegally obtained Kuwaiti citizenship through forged documents, the Ministry of Interior has announced. The suspect was apprehended following a high-level investigation by the General Administration for Drug Control, which received detailed intelligence regarding his involvement in trafficking and promoting narcotic substances. Security forces set up a carefully coordinated trap that led to his arrest, despite his resistance at the scene. Inside his residence, officers discovered forged documents proving that the suspect had unlawfully acquired Kuwaiti nationality—prompting the formation of a joint task force between the drug enforcement unit and the Investigations Department for Nationality Affairs. The ministry stated that legal proceedings are underway to address both the drug trafficking and citizenship fraud, describing the case as a serious threat to national security. 'The suspect tried to obstruct the arrest process and resisted officers, but he was subdued without injuries,' the statement noted. Captagon, a widely abused amphetamine-type stimulant, has become a growing concern in the region. The seizure of such a large quantity highlights what officials call a coordinated and integrated approach to combating drug smuggling and protecting public safety. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining national security through ongoing anti-drug campaigns and strict action against any attempts to undermine the country's legal and civil integrity.
Gulf Insider
3 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Major Achievements: UAE Ministry Of Interior Reports Seizure Of Over 12 Tonnes Of Drugs
The UAE Ministry of Interior has reported significant accomplishments in the country's anti-narcotics efforts for 2024, highlighting robust measures taken to combat drug-related crimes and safeguard public health and safety. Amal Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Head of Statistics and Studies at the Federal General Directorate for Drug Control at the Ministry of Interior, stated that 2024 witnessed intensified nationwide operations yielding tangible results. 'A total of 9,774 reports related to drug crimes were recorded, involving 13,513 suspects,' she revealed. 'In total, 12,340 kilograms of narcotic substances and psychotropic drugs were seized throughout the year.' Al Zeyoudi also emphasized the UAE's strong commitment to international cooperation in the fight against drugs, noting that joint operations with more than 24 countries led to the seizure of an additional 3,383 kilograms of narcotics outside the UAE. In November 2024, the UAE adopted the National Anti-Narcotics Strategy 2024–2031, which envisions a drug-free nation by 2031. The strategy sets ambitious national targets, including reducing drug-related mortality rates per million people and lowering the prevalence of drug abuse per 100,000 residents. A report issued by the Ministry's Federal Drug Control Directorate noted that the Ministry's integrated efforts have helped curb both supply and demand. A key initiative was launched to assess the spread of narcotics across the country, benchmarking global best practices. Furthermore, a digital platform was developed in collaboration with the healthcare sector to monitor the dispensation of controlled medications and limit their misuse. The Ministry underscored its firm commitment to drug control, providing law enforcement agencies with extensive human, technical, and material resources. Coordination with national, regional, and international entities has been a cornerstone of the strategy. The cornerstone of the UAE's legal framework in this domain is Federal Decree Law No. (30) of 2021 on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, as amended by Federal Decree Law No. (53) of 2022. This legislation adopts a comprehensive approach that balances stringent penalties with pathways for rehabilitation. While the law imposes hefty fines and prison terms depending on the nature and frequency of offenses, it also allows courts to refer individuals to rehabilitation centers instead of incarceration, with close follow-up on treatment progress. The law also calls for active international cooperation to combat drug trafficking and prosecute those involved. In a testament to the UAE's proactive role on the global stage, the Ministry of Interior was elected in April 2025 to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) for the term 2026–2029, representing the Asia-Pacific Group. The CND is a central policymaking body within the UN system responsible for overseeing international drug control treaties and guiding global drug policies. The election took place during a vote at the UN Headquarters in New York.
