Dubai Police arrest beggar with Dh40,000 in possession

The Dubai Police have arrested a beggar who made Dh40,000 by taking advantage of residents' generosity during the holy month of Ramadan.

According to the police, the beggar was arrested in possession of local and foreign currencies he had made during the first few days of the holy month.

The police had revealed last week that they arrested 178 beggars between March 18 and the first day of Ramadan as part of their annual anti-begging drive.

"There are people who attempt to justify their illegal behaviour with their financial desperation. However, according to Federal Law No. 9 of 2018 on Anti-begging, this is illegal and punishable," said Colonel Ahmed Al Adidi, acting director of Anti-infiltrators at the General Department of Criminal Investigation.

"There are official and charitable entities and authorities ready to help the needy."

The UAE sees an influx of beggars during the holy month. "Those operating professional gangs of beggars or recruiting people from outside the country for the same face a jail term of not less than six months and a minimum fine of Dh100,000," Col Al Adidi had said earlier.

He also urged the public to report beggars to the toll-free number 901 or through the Police Eye service via the Dubai Police app.

-waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com