Sharjah cracks down on 350 illegal markets selling fakes, expired food

sharjah - Nearly 173 tons of food, fake cosmetics and various duplicate products were seized.

Around 350 illegal markets, where mobile vendors did brisk business by selling counterfeit products and expired food, were busted by the Sharjah Municipality during a recent crackdown.
Nearly 173 tons of food, fake cosmetics and various duplicate products being offered at cheap prices to attract customers were seized and destroyed. These items were deemed harmful to public health.
Thabit Al Taraifi, director-general of Sharjah Municipality, said that the civic body formed 40 teams of inspectors to carry out inspections targeting the mushrooming of illegal markets across the emirate, especially around labour accommodations and industrial areas.
He added that vendors take advantage of the summer vacation to display their goods at low prices. "They were selling goods of unknown source, and food items that were found to be unfit for consumption," the top cop pointed out.
Most of those caught during the inspections were found to be staying in the country illegally, while some were even wanted by the police.
The official urged residents to report such illegal activities on 993.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Sharjah