The quantity seized comprises 700 sacks, each weighing 50kg in addition to 20 large barrels of raw tobacco, and 20 cartons comprising hundreds of bottles used for packing tobacco as well as processing, wrapping and grinding utensils. All the seized tobacco, processing equipment and packing tools from the site were confiscated.
Commenting on the operation, the director of Public Health, Municipality of Abu Dhabi City, Khalifa Al Romaithi said, “The operation took place when a team of inspectors, while on a routine call, headed to the shop in question to communicate to them the need to transfer their business to Musaffah on expiry of their trading licence. This was part of the civic body’s drive to relocate occupational activities to Musaffah. The inspection team, was however, surprised to note that the shop was engaged in the unlicensed business operations.”
“The team, therefore, conducted an on-the-spot inspection of the shop and discovered the tobacco and processing equipment, which was seized,” Romaithi added.
He continued: “The offence reported was practising a commercial activity for which the shop had not obtained a licence, which is in breach of the licence and health conditions and which had the potential of causing harm as the facility lacked healthy storage and packing conditions.”
He added that the quantities seized from the shop were quite enormous and poorly stored, falling well short of the stipulations, especially as tobacco is very sensitive and creates an environment conducive to the growth of fungus.
Romaithi reiterated the municipality’s keen attention to maintain the community’s health and safety and called upon the community to co-operate in combating the illegal practices which violate hygiene and sanitation conditions, as they are harmful to the health and safety of the community and environment.
He stressed that the inspection campaigns and raids, particularly in search of harmful products like the tobacco seizure, would continue and called upon all members of the community to immediately report any shop suspected of practising illegal activities.
source: gulftoday.ae
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