National Program for Combating the Commercial Concealment has continued conducting comprehensive inspection tours targeting suspicious establishments implicated in crimes and violations of the Anti-Concealment Law within the automotive spare parts sector in the Eastern Region. These inspections are prompted by compelling evidence and indicators of concealment activities.
Collaborating seamlessly, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, along with the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority, joined forces to spearhead this regulatory campaign. Their coordinated efforts aligned closely with the joint security operations of the Eastern Province Police.
The campaign's intensive scrutiny has yielded tangible results, with 35 commercial establishments subjected to thorough inspections. Furthermore, the owners of three establishments have been summoned to address suspicions of engaging in commercial concealment. In a notable instance, one facility was promptly shut down due to workers attempting to flee during the inspection process. Violations of residency and work regulations were also detected, leading to the apprehension of non-compliant workers.
To ensure accountability and adherence to the rule of law, the offenders have been referred to the relevant authorities for further investigation and the imposition of appropriate legal penalties, should their guilt be established. Penalties prescribed under the Anti-Concealment Law range from imprisonment for up to five years to substantial fines of five million riyals. Moreover, the program mandates the seizure and confiscation of ill-gotten funds upon the issuance of final judicial verdicts against the implicated individuals.
The repercussions of these legal penalties encompass business closure, activity dissolution, commercial registration revocation, the prohibition from conducting any commercial activities, the obligation to settle Zakat, duties, and taxes, as well as the deportation of individuals engaged in concealment practices, and not allowing them to return to the Kingdom for work.