One of Dhofar’s biggest illegal chewing tobacco operations was broken up by the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP).
The operation uncovered the involvement of expats disguised as Omanis who were engaging in illegal activities, a hidden farm in Salalah, and a very large amount of raw material being used to produce illegal chewing tobacco.
According to the Director of PACP in Dhofar, Ali bin Salem al Basrawi, “Manufacturing chewing tobacco, supplying it, and selling it in stores is against the law of consumer protection. These expat workers are considered one of the biggest producers of this tobacco in Dhofar.”
According to a statement by the Public Authority for Consumer Protection, “The authority received information regarding expatriate workers distributing chewing tobacco to stores in Salalah and neighboring Wilayats, and that the distributors were selling the wares in secret.
“Officials from the authority monitored one of the accused as he drove the vehicle used in their activities, and discovered that the accused received the tobacco from a nearby farm in Salalah during the night,” PACP's statement added.
“Two weeks of monitoring revealed that the a home in the farm was used to produce this tobacco during the day during specific days in the wok. The first accused would cooperate with another person to use a four-wheeler vehicle to load the narcotics and distribute it to stores. Furthermore, the main accused in the crime would disguise himself as a citizen in order to avoid suspicion.
“After gathering proof and confirming the place and what occurred within, a search warrant was obtained for the house inside the farm, as well as the vehicle.”
The operation was undertaken in cooperation between the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and the consumer protection authority.
“A joint team formed by the PACP and the ROP raided the location at night after the primary suspect and his accomplice entered to remove the tobacco for distribution. They were caught red-handed, while in the middle of transporting bags of the tobacco, and some of the other workers were able to flee.
“Very large amounts of the materials used to make the tobacco were discovered, as well as amounts of the product, ready for consumption, in large black bags scattered on the ground and in crates, some of which bore unintelligible symbols and names that are used in production.
“After questioning, the case file was transferred to the Public Prosecution, which filed it to the court in Salalah, which ruled to convict the two suspects for the misdemeanor of selling illegal products and sentenced them to two years in prison, a OMR2000 fine each, and expulsion from Oman.”
Albasrwai added, “the authority will not be lenient in taking all legal procedures to end these forbidden practices in order to protect the safety and health of consumers.”
Al Basrawi also called on everyone to cooperate if they witness such practices by reporting negative/unethical practices that can harm consumers.
Share This Post
