Arab man caught carrying stickers for expired cosmetics 

Ras Al Khaimah - He was nabbed at RAK airport

The Ras Al Khaimah Customs has foiled an attempt of an Arab passenger to smuggle a large amount of stickers for expired cosmetics at the emirate's international airport.
The suspect admitted that he was planning to put the new stickers on expired items, including a product stored in wooden drawers in a shop.
Dr Mohammed Al Mehrizi, director general of the RAK Customs, said that the officers got suspicious as the passenger looked anxious.
"The passenger's baggage was thoroughly searched until the manipulated stickers were found in his possession."
When asked about the stickers, the passenger admitted that he was planning to use them with expired cosmetics he had stored, he added.
"The suspect was referred to the security and customs risks department which alerted the public health and environment department in the Ras Al Khaimah municipality."
The municipal inspectors launched an inspection and raid against the warehouse, Dr Mehrizi said.
"A huge amount of expired cosmetics were found in wooden drawers in the warehouse," he said. "The expired cosmetics were seized and destroyed, while the suspect was referred to the bodies concerned for legal action."
The vigilant customs inspectors have also detected hundreds of violations over the first nine months of the year, he disclosed. "All the passengers involved in these violations, which were mainly about rate manipulation, tax evasion, and false documents, were penalised as per the law."
The list of contraband seized included narcotics, niswar, black magic and witchcraft items, expired goods, counterfeited products, and many other illegal stuff, he explained.
"Our watchful inspectors competently secure all the entrance points of the emirate using the latest technologies which help curb smuggling bids and customs violations."
The RAK Customs has a sophisticated centre for operation and coordination, Dr Mehrizi underlined. "High quality cameras are used in monitoring all works in the 10 land, sea and air border points in the emirate round-the-clock."

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com