Fake goods or counterfeit products amounting to more than Dh100 million have been seized by the Abu Dhabi Police during the last nine months.
Abu Dhabi Police seized more than 1.3 million items including counterfeit products such as gold jewellery, medical equipment, vehicles’ oil, accessories, perfume, sunglasses, watches, bags, wallets, shoes and other goods.
Brigadier Mohammad Suhail Al Rashdi, Acting Director of Criminal Security Department, said that the fake items were recovered during raids at shops and warehouses across the region, as said in a press release.
He also warned residents of the dangers of unsafe goods, which also harm the reputation of international companies.
He said the covert storage of such goods are against public safety regulations as this may cause fire and other safety hazards.
Al Rashid also asked urged consumers to communicate with authorized sellers instead of purchasing counterfeit goods.
Maj Gen Abdul Quddus Obaidli, whose Dubai Police unit is tackling counterfeit goods, said there are two types of people who buy fake goods. One is those who are unaware of the criminal enterprises they are supporting and second are the ones who do not care.
“Whoever buys counterfeit goods is involved in ensuring the constant battle between Government and criminals who sell fake products,” The National reported the official as saying.
Sellers can face a fine of up to Dh30,000 and jailterm.
Maj Gen Obaidli said: “I support introducing legislation to make purchasing fake products an offence. It is hard to persuade people that buying or owning fake products is intellectual theft. Residents here should think of it as a social responsibility, and that it’s as bad as stealing.”
