Counterfeit products worth Dh91m seized in Sharjah

Police seized thousands of electronic goods valued at Dh91 million and arrested four people in a clampdown on counterfeiting.

The economic crimes division of Sharjah Police uncovered the haul during raids at three warehouses and a packing company.

A large number of electronic devices, including mobile phones and accessories, were found during the operation.

Four Asian men were arrested and a warrant was issued against a fifth suspect, who is out of the country and believed to be the owner of the products.

Capt Mohsen Ahmed, of Sharjah CID, said officers received information about a gang using a company’s headquarters and warehouse to store the illegal goods.

“An investigation and search plan was formed after we received a tip-off about the group’s suspicious activity,” Capt Ahmed said.

“The suspects confessed to possessing the fake products.”

The four accused were referred to Sharjah Public Prosecution.

The raids are the latest measures in the UAE’s continuing crackdown against counterfeiters.

Last year, the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection sector in the Department of Economic Development seized 26.2 million counterfeit items.

Although that figure was significantly lower compared with 2016, its street value was higher as a result of the increased haul of luxury items.

Shoes topped the list of seized fake items, with 51,144 pairs estimated to be worth Dh400m making up 37 per cent of the total.

Bags and other leather products featured prominently with 337,212 pieces worth Dh72.1m confiscated, while 2.2 million cigarettes worth Dh338.7m were also seized.