"Saudi Arabia cracks down on environmental law violators."

RIYADH, April 4, 2025: The Special Forces for Environmental Security have apprehended two Saudi nationals and six expatriates from India, Pakistan, and Yemen for unlawfully extracting sedimentary deposits in the Makkah region.

Authorities also confiscated five soil excavation machines, according to the Saudi Press Agency on Thursday.

In a separate incident, a Saudi citizen was arrested for grazing 12 camels in restricted areas within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, facing a fine of SR500 ($133) per camel.

Additionally, another individual was detained in the Eastern Province for igniting fires on vegetated land, an act punishable by a fine of up to SR3,000.

Three Saudi nationals were taken into custody for cutting protective fencing and unlawfully entering the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve. The penalty for damaging fencing can reach SR100,000, in addition to compensation costs, while unauthorized entry carries a fine of SR5,000.

In Riyadh, a citizen was caught in possession of two cubic meters of local firewood intended for commercial use. The penalties for using local firewood and charcoal commercially can reach SR32,000 per cubic meter, while transporting, selling, or storing them may result in fines of up to SR16,000.

Environmental authorities also arrested a Nigerian resident in Makkah for burning waste, degrading soil, and causing environmental pollution. Violations of this nature can incur penalties of up to SR10 million.

Another Saudi citizen is facing a fine of up to SR3,000 for unauthorized camping within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve.

Legal action has been taken against the violators, and they have been referred to the appropriate authorities.

The public is encouraged to report environmental infractions by dialing 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 and 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.