Mitib Al-Awad Okaz/Saudi Gazette HAIL – Chaos, crowds of people and cacophony of sounds greet you as you enter Al-Khobool Flea Market (Haraj) in the northwestern city of Hail. Stalls selling electric appliances, used clothes, accessories, car spare parts, curtains dot the market located along a main street. The market is controlled by illegal workers and residency regulation violators. The goods sold here are either stolen or spurious. Secondhand items also available in the market. Regulars to market say that police have arrested several times many people selling stolen items. Those who own stalls there want the market to be organized and illegals arrested. Fahad Al-Shammary, a visitor to the market, said the chaos at the market causes traffic jam. He urged the authorities to take necessary action to bring law and order to the market. Ali Al-Dawsan, another visitor, said illegal workers should not be allowed to run the market because they manipulate prices and sometimes buy and sell stolen goods. A source in Hail Mayoralty said inspectors pay visits to the market on a regular basis and fine owners of stalls who don't keep the market clean. Hail Police spokesman Abdul Aziz Al-Zunaidi said official committees monitor the market to ensure that no illegal activities take place.
