Indian National Arrested for Smuggling Pilgrims into Makkah Using Ambulance Without Hajj Permits
Makkah, May 9, 2025 – Saudi authorities have arrested an Indian national accused of smuggling undocumented pilgrims into Makkah by disguising them as patients in an ambulance, in a serious breach of Hajj regulations.
According to the Saudi General Directorate of Public Security, the arrest took place at one of the main checkpoints on the outskirts of Makkah, where strict inspections are in place to ensure that only pilgrims with valid Hajj permits are allowed entry during the pilgrimage season.
Authorities reported that the suspect, an Indian driver, was caught transporting several individuals concealed in an ambulance under the guise of medical patients. Upon inspection, it was revealed that none of the passengers held valid Hajj permits, a mandatory requirement for all pilgrims entering Makkah during the Hajj period.
The pilgrims, whose nationalities have not been disclosed, were attempting to bypass Saudi Arabia’s stringent permit system, which is designed to manage the millions of pilgrims who travel to the holy city each year and to ensure safety and order during the religious gathering.
The ambulance, which was registered with a private company, has been impounded, and the Indian suspect is now facing legal action under Saudi Arabia’s anti-smuggling and Hajj regulations. The undocumented pilgrims have also been taken into custody for violating the kingdom’s Hajj laws.
Saudi authorities reiterated their commitment to preventing unauthorized access to Makkah, warning that strict penalties, including imprisonment, heavy fines, and deportation, await anyone found guilty of facilitating illegal pilgrimage entry.
The public was urged to comply fully with the regulations and to report any suspicious activities related to Hajj permit violations.