(MENAFN- Arab News) Security forces in Jazan have foiled an attempt to smuggle 110 illegal African workers to the Kingdom including 50 women. Police raided the house in Abu Areesh where alleged human traffickers had given them accommodation.

'The raid took place before the distribution of workers in different Saudi cities' said Captain Abdul Rahman Al-Zahrani spokesman of Jazan police adding that it was part of a regular campaign to track down labor and residency rule violators.

'It was one of the largest human trafficking attempt stopped by police in the region' he said. The African workers entered the Kingdom illegally and were living in an abandoned house.

Police carried out the raid after receiving tip-offs from informed sources about the illegal workers. Security officers cordoned off the area to prevent them from escaping. 'This enabled us to arrest all of them' the spokesman said.

He said the workers had plans to escape through backdoors at time of raids but thanks to good planning security officers were able to arrest them and transfer them to the concerned departments to take punitive action.

Al-Zahrani commended the leadership role played by police chief Maj. Gen. Nasser Al-Duwaissi in nabbing the intruders. He warned those who provide shelter transport and employment to such illegal workers saying they would face stiff punishment.

Saudi bloggers urged authorities to take tough action against illegal workers who sneak into the Kingdom. 'They should also punish those who are behind this human trafficking' they said.

Abusaleh one blogger expressed his wonder how 110 people entered the Kingdom without being noticed by border guards.

'Most of these illegal workers engage in drug trafficking thefts and other immoral activities posing a big threat to security' said another.