Dubai: During July Dubai Municipality inspectors, in cooperation with Dubai Police and the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department, caught 279 persons including street vendors, beggars and illegal car washers. The sweep against the law-breakers had also resulted in the seizure of several low-quality goods and pirated CDs.

Civic inspectors conduct daily spot checks in streets and public places to prevent street vending, begging and car washing in public places by individuals in violation of a ruling by the Ministry of Labour in this regard. Inspectors at the Control Unit of the Markets Administration Section in the Assets Management Department carry out regular checks in this regard.

In July 2009, they caught a total of 279 people including 171 street vendors, 58 beggars, 37 car washers and 13 illegal butchers and fish cleaners.

A total of 2,368 counterfeit products including ready-made garments, perfumes, cameras, and watches that were fake international brands were confiscated. Also, some 8,016 DVDs with pirated films, 302 pornographic movies, 610 foodstuff items including boxes of fruits and vegetables in addition to two bottles of whisky and six cartons of beer were seized.

The law-breakers, who belong to various nationalities, would be handed over to the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department for deportation in coordination with Dubai Police. The seized goods will be destroyed and disposed of safely after legal actions were taken against the violators.

The public is urged to call the Municipality Emergency office on 04-2232323 round-the-clock to report such illegal activities.