Around 30,000 fake products found
Dh6m worth of counterfeit bags, watches, wallets and other products seized
Abu Dhabi: Around 30,000 fake products worth about Dh6 million were found hidden in several residential apartments which have been altered for additional storage, as part of an illegal business operation, the Abu Dhabi Police said.
Colonel Dr Rashid Mohammad Borshid, head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), revealed that the goods were stored in three apartments in one residential building, one of which contained mazes and halls that contained seemingly invisible storage units behind wooden shelves.
The official also noted that three Bangladeshi men were arrested in connection with the apartments which were all raided in a joint operation with the Department of Economic Development after all legal procedures were finalised.
The three suspects, M.A., 34, M.M., 32, and M.G., 45, worked in commercial stores in the same building where the apartments were located. They were interrogated after taking some of the clients at their shops to the apartments. Storing the fake products had also reportedly placed human lives in danger and caused overcrowding in the apartments which could increase the risk of fires.
The confiscated items included women’s bags, wallets, watches, belts, shawls, ties, hats, pens, shoes, eye glasses, perfumes, accessories, medicines and sexual boosters. Boxes with international high-end brands were also found to pack some of the products alongside fake guarantees.
The official warned the public against making purchases through unsafe means, adding that the security dangers associated with shopping at undesignated areas may include losing certain consumer rights in cases where a receipt or guarantee is not provided with the item.
Individuals are also advised to report any suspicious activity in commercial fraud.
Additionally, Lieutenant Colonel Taher Al Daheri, chief of the Organised Crime Section at the CID, said that these fake products have a short lifespan, are sold at cheap prices and are associated with commercial fraud, the illicit practice of trade without a licence and a violation of trade laws.
