Control over the sale of local firewood in the city and border violations in Asir
As part of the ongoing field efforts by the security authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect national assets and maintain public order, the patrols of the General Directorate of Mujahideen in the Madinah region were able to apprehend a citizen who violated the environmental regulations, as he was found in possession of quantities of local firewood offered for sale. The necessary legal procedures were taken against him and the seized items were handed over to the competent authority.
This operation is part of the Kingdom's broader efforts to combat desertification and preserve vegetation cover. The Saudi government places great importance on protecting the natural environment, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative. Illegal logging and the sale of local firewood are practices that threaten the ecological balance and exacerbate desertification. This has prompted the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to intensify their oversight of charcoal and firewood markets and to pursue those marketing these materials, whether within cities, on highways, or even through online platforms used to promote these violations illegally.
Security violations detected in Asir
In a related security operation, patrols from the General Directorate of Mujahideen in the Asir region apprehended an Egyptian resident for transporting Yemeni nationals who had violated border security regulations in his vehicle. All parties involved were detained and the necessary legal procedures were initiated against them. The violators were referred to the appropriate authorities, while the transporter was referred to the Public Prosecution.
The Ministry of Interior consistently emphasizes the seriousness of crimes related to border security violations, affirming that national security is a red line. The official spokesperson for the General Directorate of Mujahideen explained that the penalties in this regard are severe and deterrent; anyone who facilitates the entry of border security violators into the Kingdom, transports them, provides them with shelter, or offers them any form of assistance, is subject to imprisonment for up to 15 years and a fine of up to one million Saudi riyals.
The penalties are not limited to imprisonment and fines, but also include confiscation of the vehicle used in the crime, confiscation of the residence used to house the offenders, and public shaming of the perpetrator. These acts are classified as major crimes warranting arrest and involving breaches of honor and integrity, given the direct threat they pose to the security and stability of society.
Violation Reporting Numbers
In closing, the General Directorate of Mujahideen called upon all citizens and residents to cooperate with security and environmental authorities and to immediately report any instances of environmental or wildlife violations, or any suspected violations of residency, labor, and border security regulations. Reports can be submitted by calling 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom, in order to ensure a safe society and a sustainable environment.
