385 bags of naswar seized from Khor Fakkan, two sellers nabbed
sharjah — A surprise raid conducted by the Sharjah Police and Khor Fakkan Municipality has led to the seizure of 385 bags of naswar, a banned substance in the UAE. The team also nabbed two Asians who were trying to sell the substance to Asians in the area. They confiscated the material and took legal action against the sellers.
A police official from the eastern region said they are closely working with the municipality to combat illegal activities which affect safety, public health and security in the area.
The municipality and the police had received information about the illegal activities and immediately formed a team to confirm the information and raid the shop. “In spite
The naswar mixture could cause diseases, such as oral cancer, gingivitis, gum ulcerations, high blood pressure, heart diseases and peptic ulcers. Fawzia Rashid Al Qadi, directorgeneral, Khor Fakkan Municipality
of the intensified efforts made by the authorities concerned to curb the sale of naswar, it is still being sold at small shops managed mostly by Indians, Pakistanis, Afghans and a few Arabs,” said the official.
He explained that though naswar is not considered a narcotic; the government has banned the substance as it poses dangers to human health. Also, those who chew it compromise public hygiene and dirty the streets by spitting around.
Manufacturing or selling naswar is a breach of the Federal Law No. 15/2009 regarding the combating of tobacco and the Cabinet Decree No. 24/2013 regarding the executive regulation of the law.
Fawzia Rashid Al Qadi, directorgeneral of the Khor Fakkan Municipality, said inspectors from the operations department have succeeded in controlling the violators and taking necessary measures towards them. “The naswar mixture could cause diseases, such as oral cancer, gingivitis, gum ulcerations, high blood pressure, heart diseases and peptic ulcers.” She added that the municipality will not tolerate illegal activities, which can be a threat to the health of society.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com