Capital Security Shuts Down Illegal Grocery Operations in Jaber Al-Ahmad; 33 Violations Issued

The Capital Governorate Security Directorate has shut down a number of illegally operated grocery stores inside private residences in the Jaber Al-Ahmad residential area, as part of ongoing efforts to curb practices that violate public order, housing, and health regulations.

According to the Ministry of Interior, the action followed field monitoring and investigations, during which authorities obtained the necessary legal warrants and coordinated with relevant agencies before conducting raids on the non-compliant sites.

During the operation, security personnel found that several private homes were being used for unlicensed commercial activities, including the sale of food items and receiving customers on the premises. Fourteen workers were arrested for violating labor and residency laws, as they were found residing inside the makeshift grocery stores. Authorities also detained delivery workers operating motorcycles in connection with the illegal businesses.

Officials reported multiple violations, including the misuse of private residential properties for commercial purposes in breach of housing laws, and the illegal sale of gas cylinders in violation of trade regulations. Seven delivery motorcycles without license plates were confiscated. Inspectors also seized adulterated food products and items past their expiration dates from some of the premises.

In coordination with the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN), 33 violation reports were issued against the establishments. The violations included operating food businesses without health licenses, trading food that failed to meet health and technical standards, exposing food to unhygienic preparation conditions, and selling products deemed unfit for human consumption. Additional breaches involved the absence of food data cards, failure to comply with general hygiene requirements, and employing workers without certified health certificates.

The Ministry of Interior affirmed that security and inspection campaigns will continue in cooperation with concerned authorities, stressing that legal action will be taken against violators to safeguard public health and community safety.