Sharjah: Sharjah Municipality inspectors on Saturday raided a shop and seized a large number of swords, daggers and knives which were being sold to teenagers.
The shop had been operating without a licence, said Thabit Salem Al Turaifi, director-general of Sharjah Municipality.
The municipality received a tipoff about the illegal activity of the shop owner who was selling the weapons to teenagers. Undercover inspectors visited the shop to verify the information. Inspectors then laid a trap for the shop owner and caught him red-handed.
The owner has been referred to the authorities concerned for further action.
Al Turaifi said the department is carrying out an intensive campaign across the emirate to stop the sale of sharp weapons.
Long swords, sharp serrated daggers, knives, switchblades and bayonets are all banned in the emirate. They can lead to serious injury and death if misused.
Khalid Bin Falah Al Suwaidi, assistant general manager of customer service at the municipality, praised the action of the inspection teams and their keenness to follow up on all information coming from the public.
He said: “Such weapons falling into the hands of teenagers is dangerous because they may be used in crimes and lead to fatalities, especially when used by youngsters who may not be well aware of the dangers. The municipality will prosecute those who endanger the security of society and promote such weapons and exploit [our sons] to promote their goods.”
He warned shopkeepers against selling these weapons, adding that involvement in such violations will make them face stiff penalties, given the possibility of these weapons being used for assaulting others and threatening their lives.
The officials called on all community members not to buy or use such weapons, and to report any stores that sell these by calling the municipality hotline 993.
