385 bags of banned substance seized in Khor Fakkan

The municipality and police received a tipoff about illegal activities being conducted in a shop.

Two men were arrested in a drug raid operation lead by the Khor Fakkan Municipality.  
The municipality and police received a tipoff about illegal activities being conducted in a shop. The duo were apprehended along with 385 bags of the banned substance, Niswar. The substance was confiscated. Legal action will be taken against the perpetrators. 
Fawzia Rashid Al-Qadi, Director General of Khor Fakkan Municipality, said: "In spite of intensified efforts being made by the authorities to curb the sale of Niswar, it is still being sold in small shops managed by mostly by Indians, Pakistanis, Afghans and Arabs."
She explained that although Niswar is not a narcotic, the UAE classifies it as a banned substance. Users develop complications that include oral cancer, gingivitis, gum ulcerations, high blood pressure, heart diseases and peptic ulcers.   
The manufacturing or sale of the substance is a breach of Federal Law No. 15/2009 on combating tobacco use, and Cabinet Decree No. 24/2013 regarding the Executive Regulation of the law.
Police officials in the eastern region said that they are closely working with the municipality to combat illegal activities.
She added that the municipality has intensified inspection campaigns throughout the city, with round-the-clock patrols monitoring community spaces. 
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah