RIYADH — Officials from the National Program to Combat Commercial Concealment (Tasattur) have carried out as many as 2,611 inspection visits across various regions of Saudi Arabia during the last month of March. During these inspection visits, 71 cases of suspected commercial concealment were detected.
The violators were referred to the competent authorities to complete the investigation procedures and the application of deterrent penalties against those involved in the crime. The inspection raids were conducted on the basis of indications and evidence of suspected concealment activities.
These visits aimed to verify the compliance of the regulations from the part of the commercial establishments and to detect violations of the provisions of the Anti-Concealment Law. The visits covered several sectors, most notably the retail sale of precious metals and gemstones; the retail sale of nuts, coffee, spices, and perfumes; the retail sale of bakery products and confectionery; the retail sale of perfumes; the retail sale of fresh and preserved fruits and vegetables; and the retail sale of handbags.
The penalties under the Anti-Concealment Law include imprisonment for up to five years, maximum fine of SR5 million, and the seizure and confiscation of illicit funds collected through concealment after the issuance of final judicial rulings against those involved in the crime. This is in addition to the subsidiary penalties prescribed by law, such as closing the establishment, liquidating the activity, canceling the commercial registration, prohibiting the practice of commercial activity, collecting zakat, fees and taxes, publicizing the violation at the violator’s personal expense, and deporting foreigners involved in concealment from the Kingdom and not allowing them to return to the Kingdom for work.
Source: Saudi Gazette