Duo stands trial for attempt to sell counterfeit gas cylinders

dubai — Two men, who were caught in illegal possession of gas cylinders for trade, have gone on trial at the Dubai Court of First Instance. Prosecutors said the Pakistani men — a vendor and a driver aged 30 and 47 — possessed more than 138 gas cylinders that bore fake stickers of a registered trademark in the UAE.

They were caught on May 24, 2017, as they were about to transport the inflammable material in a vehicle to sell it while aware the stickers were counterfeit, thus breaking the enforced laws and regulations of public safety. The pair has been charged with possession of goods bearing counterfeit stickers of a registered trademark, and attempted transportation of inflammable material illegally.

The chargesheet included a recommendation from the public prosecution for a stiff sentence against the duo as per the law.

“I was on the job as an inspector for a gas company. Around 10.30am, I was going about my duties of checking on distributors at warehouses in Ras Al Khor industrial area and see how they were complying with the instructions and regulations of the company. I spotted then a gas pick-up and another vehicle parked in the warehouse yard,” an Emirati inspector said.

Even though the other vehicle carried a food freezer, it was also transporting some gas cylinders. “We alerted the Dubai Police operations room instantly and a police patrol car arrived shortly later. After checking the freezer closely, the police officers found it contained 22kg and 44kg cylinders. There were a total of 138 pieces,” the inspector told the investigating prosecutor.

The way in which they were transported was in violation of the official security and safety instructions as they could only be transported in the pick-ups.

When the inspectors checked the cylinders’ covers, they found fake stickers of the gas company’s seals. Both men were then taken into custody.

A court ruling will be pronounced on April 22.

mary@khaleejtimes.com