Eighteen Saudi nationals and expatriates have been convicted of transporting pilgrims without proper authorisation, according to Al Riyadh newspaper.
The General Directorate of Passports in Mecca sentenced them to 15 days in prison and fined them from SR20,000 to SR70,000, in addition to the confiscation of their vehicles.
Expatriate violators, who were found in breach of the law, will also be deported on serving 15 days in prison and paying the fines.