Five Arrested for Illegal Sediment Extraction in Makkah

The Special Forces for Environmental Security have arrested five Pakistani residents in the Makkah region for the illegal extraction of sediment and the non-regulated dredging and transport of soil, in the latest campaign targeting environmental violations in 2026.

As part of the operation, authorities seized five pieces of equipment used in excavating and transporting the soil. Legal procedures have been initiated against the individuals under the environmental law and sediment exploitation regulations, and their cases have been referred to the competent authorities for prosecution and administrative penalties.

The case is part of a series of environmental security campaigns carried out across Makkah and other regions during 2026, targeting unlicensed sediment exploitation and soil transport. Several groups of expatriates have been arrested and their equipment seized under the same legal framework. As of now, no fixed fine figure has been publicly stated for this specific case, as penalties are applied under the general environmental provisions.

How to report violations

Environmental Security encourages the public to report violations related to sediment exploitation, soil dredging, or illegal transport. In the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern Region areas, call 911. In other regions of the Kingdom, call 999 or 996. Reports are handled confidentially, with no liability placed on the person who submits them.

For municipal excavation without a permit, fines are calculated by multiplying the violation amount Rates vary by municipality classification. For example, a 10-meter excavation in a city with a rate of 3,000 SAR 000 SAR fine. Excavation permits and violation handling are processed electronically through the Balady platform, and some municipal violations carry additional fines of between 1,000 and 5,000 SAR if a corrective period expires without compliance. Failure to pay due amounts on time can lead to permit cancellation.

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