UAE | Crime
Goods worth Dh14m seized
Customs officials seized counterfeit goods worth more than Dh7 million last month as part of a major crackdown. Fake electronics, cosmetics, spare car parts and medicines were among the goods seized by officers.
- By Daniel Bardsley, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 July 19, 2006
Dubai: Customs officials seized counterfeit goods worth more than Dh7 million last month as part of a major crackdown.
Fake electronics, cosmetics, spare car parts and medicines were among the goods seized by officers.
The mammoth haul in June brings the total value of counterfeit goods confiscated since February to more than Dh14 million.
This week's announcement comes only weeks after officials threatened to start deporting those found trading in counterfeit goods.
Statistics released by the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Department and Intervention Department of Dubai Customs show that between February and June, 2,212,147 boxes of counterfeit goods were seized.
The majority came from the Far East, central Asia and Africa.
Most were intercepted at Jebel Ali Port and Dubai International Airport, but seizures also took place at Cargo Village, Rashid Port, Dubai Airport Free Zone, Dubai Creek and through the postal service.
In June the total value of seized counterfeit goods soared to Dh7,859,431 in a busy month for officials. Over the previous four months, goods worth a total of Dh6,496,793 were confiscated.
Compact discs were the most common type of goods seized, followed by fake spare car parts. Car companies post regular warnings in the UAE of the dangers of using counterfeit components.
Electronics was the third largest category, followed by watches, clothing and footwear, spectacles, cosmetics and cigarettes. Smaller quantities of brand stickers and medicines were also discovered by customs officials.
"Dubai Customs is committed to protecting intellectual property rights and its inspectors are constantly vigilant against any attempt to smuggle counterfeit goods into the country," Dubai Customs said in a statement
"Recognising the negative impact of fake goods on various industries and the national economy, the Dubai Customs management has been providing specialised training to its inspectors on how to distinguish between bona fide and counterfeit goods."
It is not just people bringing in goods who are being targeted, but also those trying to sell them.
As reported in Gulf News last month, vendors selling pirated goods in Dubai face arrest and deportation as part of a new initiative.
Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Department of Economic Development, the Ministry of Labour, Dubai Police and Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department joined forces to launch the campaign.
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