Dubai: Municipality inspectors, in cooperation with Dubai Police and the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department, caught 287 persons including street vendors, beggars and illegal car washers last month. The sweep against the law-breakers had also resulted in the seizure of several low-quality goods and pirated CDs.
A total of 3,011 inspections were made during the month of October, out of which 500 inspections were scheduled and 2,511 were random checks.
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 to book the violators.
In October 2009, they caught a total of 287 people including 208 street vendors, 41 beggars, 28 car washers and 10 illegal butchers and fish cleaners.
A total of 2,884 counterfeit products including ready-made garments, perfumes, cameras and watches that were fake international brands were confiscated. Also, some 7,998 DVDs with pirated films, 197 pornographic movies, in addition to 679 foodstuff items including boxes of fruits and vegetables were seized last month.
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 would be destroyed and disposed of safely after legal actions were taken against the violators.
The public is urged to call the Municipality on the toll-free number 800900 round-the-clock to report such illegal activities.