The police have stationed a special team in Al-Karantina District, in southern Jeddah, to arrest criminals and illegal residents. The dilapidated district is completely dominated by people from different African and Asian countries and has become known for its high crime rate. First Lt. Mansour Al-Bouq, Jeddah Police Spokesman, told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the police officers in the district work with other government agencies to maintain law and order. He said Jeddah Police have enough officers to handle all reports from the Operation Center on criminal activity. Al-Bouq slammed some landlords in the area for allowing violators of the country's residency laws to stay in their buildings. He said this was a threat to people living in the district. Col. Muhammad Hussein, Jeddah Passports Spokesman, said the department has plans to arrest all Iqama violators. He said there are constant raids in certain parts of the district to arrest and then deport overstayers and other illegal residents. An official source from the Anti-Narcotics Department said that their teams are constantly monitoring the markets in Al-Karantina District and launching surprise raids on drug peddlers and traffickers. A Jeddah Mayoralty Spokesman said the district is one of many that will be completely redeveloped, based on the latest international specifications. __
