An Ethiopian man and woman were arrested in the Al-Mushrifa district of Jeddah on Tuesday for running an araq alcohol production and distribution operation. The pair reportedly produced the materials at their place of residence and provided a home delivery service to clients. Police arrested the man with the help of an informant, and a subsequent raid on his home found a complex of pipes in rooms sealed off to prevent odors attracting the attention of neighbors. The man's accomplice was detained at the house. In Khamis Mushayt the same day, two Ethiopians were arrested in separate incidents for possessing and selling alcohol. The first was detained by the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, and is believed to be the head of a five-strong gang of alcohol dealers. He was also found in possession of a firearm. A second Ethiopian was detained in Khamis Mushayt while in possession of several bottles of imported liquor. Police said that the man had a previous criminal record.
