A total of 12 vehicles were seized in Al Ain last month for illegal selling of goods including niswar (banned tobacco) to workers, according to authorities.

The Al Ain Municipality said their regular inspection visits to curb illegal businesses in the industrial areas have resulted in the seizure of three cars each week in July that were being used by unlicensed traders to sell various products to workers.

During a recent crackdown, inspectors caught vehicles carrying about 20kg of niswar to be sold to Asian workers. The banned tobacco was found hidden among other items including food products.

Mohammed Marzouq Al Mazrouei, director of the supervision and inspection department at the Al Ain City Municipality, said: "All the violators were caught while selling different items from their cars on the sidewalks in the industrial zone.

"Niswar is a banned product and not authorised in the UAE because of its adverse effects to people and the environment."

The official said the errant traders were fined, products were seized and their cars have been impounded for one week.

According to authorities, inspection campaigns are conducted during the morning and evening hours to control illegal businesses. "There are 26 inspectors responsible for monitoring the industrial zones - 14 in the morning and 12 during the evening time."

The municipality called on members of the public to report any suspicious activity relating to the production or sale of such substances. The civic body said it was illegal to sell niswar or import it to the country because the drugs were banned in the UAE markets.

All the seized materials have been handed over to the Centre of Waste Management to be destroyed.

Source: Khaleej Times