MAKKAH, MAY 30 (DNA) – Saudi Arabian authorities have launched a crackdown on black market for Zamzam water in the country. Thousands of bottles have been destroyed and numerous illegal refilling plants have been closed down.

In order to halt the black market from flourishing and ensure the provision of pure Zamzam water to people, the Saudi government has permitted only specific authorised stores to sell the precious water.

More than 3,000 bottles of adulterated Zamzam water bearing the stickers of the King Abdullah Zamzam Water Project were confiscated in Madina.

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Investment, a factory was shut down in Buraidah after 6,500 bottles were recovered from it. A warehouse was sealed in Makkah and some 200,000 bottles were destroyed by the ministry.

In Hail, the ministry found 1,600 bottles of fake Zamzam water. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority have warned customers from buying Zamzam water from unauthorized shops.