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The Ministry of Interior detailed results from its latest nationwide security sweeps in a statement this week showing that authorities took 15836 individuals into custody for breaches of residency labor and border laws. The campaign which spanned seven days produced 7892 arrests for residency violations 4617 for border security infractions and 3327 for labor law breaches. These operations involved multiple government agencies working in coordination across the kingdom to enforce regulatory compliance.
According to the ministry 1631 people were detained while attempting illegal entry into the country with 65 percent Ethiopian nationals 33 percent Yemeni and two percent from other countries. The statement added that another 42 individuals were arrested for trying to depart illegally and 21 more for facilitating such violations. The interior ministry has maintained focus on cross-border movements as part of its regular enforcement updates throughout the year.
The ministry’s tally listed 30139 violators currently undergoing legal procedures including 28087 men and 2052 women. Of that group 17273 have been referred for preparation of travel documents 6160 have received travel reservations and 12211 have been deported to their countries of origin. Such figures reflect the scale of processing that follows each weekly campaign conducted by security forces.
Similar interior ministry campaigns have produced comparable outcomes in recent months with one operation from June 11 to 17 yielding 15288 arrests as detailed in an earlier official release. The sustained sequence of inspections demonstrates an ongoing effort to address regulatory infractions among the large expatriate population that supports key sectors of the Saudi economy. Data from these periodic reports indicate consistent emphasis on both urban centers and border areas.
The ministry warned that those convicted of transporting sheltering or employing violators face penalties of up to 15 years imprisonment fines as high as one million Saudi riyals and potential confiscation of vehicles or property. These sanctions form part of the legal framework intended to deter facilitation of illegal residency and labor activities. Officials have repeatedly underscored the severity of such offenses in their public communications.
In its statement the ministry urged residents to report any suspected violations through dedicated hotlines assuring confidentiality for all information provided. Callers in Makkah Riyadh and the Eastern Province should dial 911 while those elsewhere should use 999 or 996. The interior ministry positioned the reporting system as a key element in its continued enforcement of immigration and labor regulations.
