Security forces in Jizan conducted a major cleanup operation in an area along the country's border with Yemen and arrested 2,500 infiltrators as well as nine people involved in drug and human trafficking, press reports said yesterday. Al-Watan newspaper reported that police had arrested the leader of the smuggling racket. The paper said the man, known as "Ghazanfar" (the lion), was wanted by police in connection with a number of crimes, including the sale of alcohol. As many as 35 units from the patrol police, border guards and special security forces took part in the largest such operation ever in the region, according to Maj. Gen. Ahmed Gazzaz, director of Jizan police. "We have arrested all criminals and illegal residents in the area and destroyed their hideouts," he said.Col. Abdullah Aseery, director of administrative affairs at Jizan police, led the campaign. Gazzaz said his officers carried out the operation after weeks of thorough planning. He thanked tribal leaders and citizens for providing safe passage for security forces. He promised another major campaign soon to clear the remaining hideouts in the area. The detainees included 227 women and 471 children who were to be deployed in various parts of the Kingdom for begging — which has become a lucrative trade for the human traffickers lately. During the 10-hour operation in a shantytown known as "Chinese" hideout, south of Samita, police seized live ammunition and a large quantity of locally manufactured liquor and a number of motorcycles which the gang used.