Saudi security services arrested 19,101 illegal residents in a week as part of a coordinated nationwide inspection operation, the Interior Ministry announced on Saturday.The arrests took place between February 12 and 18 as part of a joint operation carried out by security forces in cooperation with relevant government agencies. The detainees included 12,153 violators of the Residence Act, 4,103 violators of the Border Security Act and 2,845 violators of the Labor Code.Authorities have deported 14,893 illegal residents. Additionally, 15,585 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents and 1,389 violators were referred to complete travel bookings. A total of 21,491 foreigners are currently subject to legal measures, including 20,156 men and 1,335 women.The ministry also reported that 1,663 people were arrested while trying to illegally cross the border into the Kingdom. Among them, 45% are Yemeni nationals, 54% are Ethiopian nationals, and 1% are other nationalities. A further 31 people were arrested while trying to leave the Kingdom illegally.In addition, 28 people were detained, accused of transporting, harboring or employing offenders.The Interior Ministry warned that anyone who facilitates illegal entry, provides transport or shelter or provides any assistance to offenders may face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to 1 million rials. Vehicles used for transportation and property used to provide shelter will be confiscated.The ministry urged the public to report violations by dialing 911 in Mecca, Riyadh and the Eastern Province region, and 999 or 996 in other parts of the kingdom.
