Inspection teams from Jeddah Governorate Municipality detected and closed an unlicensed site being used as a makeshift slaughterhouse inside an enclosure within the Um Al-Salam sub-municipality area, according to SPA. The municipality said the site was carrying out illegal activities affecting public health and food safety.

Monitoring showed that the operator misled consumers by posting videos of high-quality sheep at prices below the usual market rate, offering a full service of sale, slaughter, preparation, packaging and home delivery. It later emerged that he swapped the animals on display for emaciated livestock of unknown origin that was unfit for human consumption, and slaughtered and prepared them outside approved slaughterhouses in conditions lacking the minimum health and veterinary requirements.

After completing its investigation and field surveillance, the competent teams raided the site, seized its contents and closed it, applied the prescribed regulations to the violators and completed all related procedures.

The operation was part of the municipality's inspection work during the 1447 AH Hajj season, carried out by teams from the Um Al-Salam sub-municipality and the General Department for Comprehensive Support and Inspection, with the participation of supporting agencies and specialised committees.

Jeddah Municipality said stepping up inspections during the season aims to protect consumers from fraud and to prevent the circulation of meat of unknown origin or unfit for consumption. For families ordering livestock through video adverts, the case is a reminder to use licensed slaughterhouses.