Ras Al Khaimah, UAE – Ras Al Khaimah Police arrested three men in connection with a large-scale operation targeting counterfeit cosmetics and accessories, officials announced on Wednesday. The raid, conducted on two warehouses, resulted in the seizure of over 650,000 fake products, including lipsticks and shampoos, with an estimated market value of Dh23 million.
The successful operation was launched shortly after Ras Al Khaimah Police received a tip-off from the Economic Development Department, alerting authorities to the presence of counterfeit goods in the emirate. The suspects, all of Arab origin, have since been referred to the public prosecution, police confirmed.
Col. Omar Al Oud Al Tineji, director of the Criminal Investigations and Investigative Affairs Department, provided details of the raid, stating that a task force was immediately formed upon receiving the information. The team meticulously monitored the warehouses over several days, during which they observed suspicious loading and storage activities that confirmed the illicit nature of the operation.
“The authority wasted no time in forming a specialized team to track and monitor the locations in question. Following a careful investigation, we were able to execute the raid successfully and apprehend those involved,” said Col. Al Tineji. The raid culminated in the confiscation of a wide array of counterfeit cosmetics, all branded as luxury items but determined to be dupes upon inspection.
Brig. Ahmed Said Mansoor, Acting Director General of Police Operations in Ras Al Khaimah, praised the efforts of the joint teams involved in the operation. He commended the collaboration between the police and the Economic Development Department, emphasizing the importance of such partnerships in safeguarding the public and the local economy.
“This operation exemplifies our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our nation. We remain vigilant against any attempts to undermine our stability or jeopardize the well-being of our citizens and residents,” Brig. Mansoor said in a statement.
The senior police official also reiterated that decisive action would be taken against anyone found to be involved in illegal activities, particularly those that threaten the integrity of the UAE’s economy. The sale of counterfeit products not only poses a risk to consumers but also damages the reputation of legitimate businesses and undermines public trust in brands.
Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious and report any suspicious activities or counterfeit goods they may come across. The police reiterated their commitment to maintaining the highest levels of safety and security across the emirate, assuring residents that they would continue to monitor for any illegal activities that threaten the local economy.
The raid serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by the UAE’s law enforcement agencies to combat counterfeiting, which remains a global issue affecting various industries. Ras Al Khaimah Police have vowed to continue their vigilance and strengthen their operations to protect the interests of both businesses and consumers within the emirate.
As investigations continue, the three suspects await legal proceedings, while authorities are working to trace the origins of the counterfeit products to further dismantle the network responsible for their distribution.