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The statement from Saudi Public Security detailed how the two women were detained in the holy city as part of an ongoing security campaign targeting such activities. Coordination with the specialized directorate allowed for comprehensive handling of the case that may involve elements of exploitation. Officials completed all standard legal procedures prior to the referral for prosecution.
The General Directorate for Community Security and Combating Human Trafficking operates under the Ministry of Interior after its establishment in February 2025 to address immoral acts, begging and related crimes, a United States Department of State assessment found. The unit handles monitoring, investigations and coordination with prosecutors to ensure systematic enforcement. Its involvement in the Madinah operation aligns with a series of similar actions across multiple Saudi regions.
A comparable effort in the Eastern Province during July 2026 resulted in the arrest of 18 expatriates on prostitution charges with that case also referred to prosecutors, Ajel English reported. Those detentions followed the same collaborative model involving the directorate. Such operations form part of sustained efforts to curb activities that violate public morals in residential areas.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development conducted more than 120,000 proactive inspections during the first quarter of 2026 to combat human trafficking and bolster workplace compliance, the ministry reported. It processed over 1,600 suspected trafficking reports in the same period and directed them to relevant authorities for action. These inspections complement security campaigns by emphasizing prevention and early detection of exploitation.
A United States Department of State assessment placed the number of potential trafficking cases investigated by Saudi authorities at 369 involving 502 alleged traffickers during a recent reporting period, an increase from earlier figures. Prosecutions reached 137 individuals across sex trafficking, labor trafficking and forced begging categories. The government identified 536 victims and referred them to care facilities as part of expanded protection measures.
The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking allocated 36,502,844 Saudi riyals to support prevention activities including training programs and awareness campaigns, according to the State Department assessment. Saudi Arabia continues implementation of its 2024-2027 national plan against human trafficking through partnerships with international organizations. These combined initiatives reflect a multi-agency strategy addressing both enforcement and victim support.
