Authorities have arrested 97 smugglers of illegal pilgrims, both Saudi and foreign nationals, at different entry points to Makkah since the start of the Haj season, said Col. Abdullah Al-Harthi, spokesman of Haj media affairs at the Passports Department. The authorities have confiscated the smugglers' vehicles and referred arrested illegal residents to the Passports Follow-UP Department for deportation, he said. The vehicles won't be released until the smugglers have taken their punishment ranging between prison time and fine depending on the repetition of the offense and number of smuggled pilgrims, he said. A smuggler may be fined as much as SR10,000 for each smuggled pilgrim. Al-Harthi urged the public to call toll free number 992 to report any suspected smugglers of illegal pilgrims.
