RIYADH: The Saudi interior ministry recorded 21,029 residency, labor, and border security during its nationwide inspection from February 5 until February 11, state news agency SPA reported.

The violations included 12,875 cases related to residency, 4,778 to border security and 3,376 to labor laws.

Border authorities apprehended 2,307 individuals attempting to enter the Kingdom mostly Ethiopians and Yemenis, while 75 people meanwhile were arrested for attempting to leave the country illegally.

A total of 29 people involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators were arrested, the interior ministry said.

The SPA report noted that a total of 23,312 expatriates, including 22,040 men and 1,272 women, are currently undergoing procedures to enforce regulations.

The ministry reported that 16,121 individuals were detained for violating the regulations and were instructed to contact their countries’ embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documents while 2,270 were advised to make travel arrangements and 13,213 were repatriated.

The ministry has reiterated that anyone who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them within its territory, or provides them with shelter, assistance, or other service may face penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to one million riyals.

Vehicles used for transport and properties used for shelter may also be confiscated.

Any act that constitutes major crimes that warrant arrest and urged the public to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 and 996 in other parts of the Kingdom, the ministry said.