Police step up raids on counterfeit goods traders

IN A RECENT OPERATION, DUBAI POLICE ARRESTED A MAN IN A LUXURY VILLA IN MIZHAR

Dubai Police’s Anti-Economic Crime Department is stepping up inspections and raids on premises suspected of selling or storing counterfeit products. Colonel Abdullah Rashid, director of the Anti- Economic Crime Department, said these efforts are making a dent in the mega- million dollar underground fake brands industry.

In the first three months of this year, the anti- commercial fraud and piracy division of the department handled 79 cases, arrested 86 suspects and seized products worth more than Dh1.72 million. Last year, the division, handled 217 cases, arrested 250 suspects and seized products worth more than Dh98.9 million.

Last year alone, Dh1 billion worth was seized by the three divisions of the Anti- Economic Crime Department.

“People don’t think that fake bags or belts can harm them, but tests show that fake leather items produce harmful chemicals that could even lead to cancer,” Col Rashid said.

He added that usually people who sell fake products hide them in apartments, or the backroom of small shops. “When you go with them to these places, how can you tell if they are not trying to rob or attack you, especially if you are a woman,” he added.

Despite the successes, Dubai Police face criminals who are getting smarter in their attempts to outwit police.

In a recent raid in March, Col Rashid said Dubai Police arrested a man of Asian descent in a luxury villa in Mizhar. They seized 16,593 counterfeit leather bags, belts, clothes and sunglasses worth around Dh9 million.

The villa was raided in March after a team from the department’s anti- commercial fraud and piracy division noticed suspicious activity over a period of time.

The anti- commercial fraud and piracy division is one of three divisions at the Anti- Economic Crime Department, the other two being the anti- fraud and swindling division and anti- forgery divisions.

Police made their move after confirming those suspicions and getting the required warrants.

Col Rashid said the suspect thought he would be able to go unnoticed because of the location he was using, as usually people dealing in counterfeit items store their hauls in warehouses or in apartments in commercial areas known for selling counterfeit items.

“We arrested the man who was renting out the villa and dealing in counterfeits. When we raided the apartment we found bags that the suspect said he imported from China, bar code makers and packaging that the bags would be packed into to make the items look like the authentic brand.” Col Rashid said.

The Department of Economic Development was also part of this operation.