Saudi police bust 'illegal hand sanitiser' factory, in latest coronavirus swindle

Saudi police busted an illegal hand sanitiser factory and arrested workers inside on Tuesday, as the novel coronavirus disease increases the demand for the hygiene product.

Saudi Arabia's ministry of commerce posted a video on Twitter of Tuesday's bust.

It showed factory workers allegedly mixing "unknown ingredients" in an "unprofessional and irregular" way to manufacture the hand sanitiser, the ministry claimed.

Workers in the factory were arrested and the product confiscated, the ministry added. 

Read also: Coronavirus panic: Saudi Aramco apologises for forcing migrant worker to serve as 'human hand sanitiser'

Saudi Arabia fears it could face shortages of some food items and other daily necessities as the coronavirus crisis threatens to restrict supplies.

The kingdom banned sales promotions on food staples such as rice and vegetable oil indefinitely, sparking fears that food reserves could be running out.

Promotions of flour, rice, sugar, cooking oils, meat, poultry, powdered milk, tea and Arabic coffee are reportedly restricted by the ministry to ensure stocks last during the coronavirus outbreak.

Citing a supermarket manager, Jeddah-based news outlet Okaz reported that the ministry had instructed all markets and grocery stores to comply with its latest decision.

"The decision aims to preserve the kingdom's stockpile and prevent a shortage of these items. The ministry of commerce is carrying out daily price inspections," Abdallah Al-Abbas told Okaz.

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