750kg of naswar seized from tanker in Abu Dhabi, driver arrested

Abu Dhabi - He was caught red-handed while hiding the banned tobacco inside the diesel tanker.

The Abu Dhabi Police have seized over 750kg of banned tobacco, known as "naswar", from the driver of a diesel tanker.
According to the police, the Criminal Security Sector, in cooperation with other government bodies, seized the huge quantity of the contraband from the Asian man who was using the diesel tanker to transport and distribute the banned material.
The teams had monitored the movements of the driver after they were notified that he transported the banned tobacco and distributed it among workers. He was caught red-handed while hiding the banned tobacco inside the diesel tanker. The police seized the contraband and the driver has been referred to the public prosecution.
Brigadier Mohammed Suhail Al Rashdi, Director of the Criminal Security Sector at the Abu Dhabi Police, commended all government agencies that participated in the seizure, including; various police departments, the Abu Dhabi City Municipality, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and the Integrated Transport Centre, stressing that community cooperation enhances combating crime in all its forms .

Naswar is a banned product in the UAE because of its diverse effects to people and the environment. Chewing of this is common among Asian workers in the UAE.

Abu Dhabi municipal officials have always warned that it was illegal to sell naswar or import it to the country. Authorities also called on the public to report any suspicious activity relating to the production or sale of such substances. Officials warned people that naswar has diverse health effects.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi