Thousands of fake electronic goods valued at Dh91 million were seized and four people arrested in a major police crackdown on counterfeit crime.
Economic crimes division of Sharjah Police uncovered the illicit haul after carrying out raids at three warehouses and a packing company in the emirate.
A large number of electronic devices, including mobile phones and accessories, were found during the string of swoops.
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Four Asian men were arrested and a warrant was issued against a fifth suspect, who is currently out of the country and is believed to be the owner of the fake products.
Captain Mohsen Ahmed, of Sharjah Police's criminal investigations department, said officers received information about a gang using company headquarters and warehouse to store the illegal goods.
“An investigation and search plan was formed after we received a tip-off about the group's suspicious activity,” said Captain Ahmed.
“The suspects confessed to possessing the fake products.”
The accused were referred to Sharjah public prosecution.
The raids are the latest measures in the UAE's ongoing crackdown against counterfeiters.
In 2017, the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in the Department of Economic Development seized 26.2 million pieces of counterfeit goods.
Although that figure was significantly lower compared to 2016, its street value was higher due to the increased haul of luxury items.
Shoes topped the list of seized fake items, with 51,144 pairs worth approximately Dh400m, or 37 per cent of the total.
Bags and other leather products accounted for 337,212 confiscated pieces, worth Dh72.1m, and 2.2 million cigarettes were seized worth Dh338.7m.
