Dubai Police seize 3.5 tonnes of goods set for sale at illegal markets

Six men were arrested after their plot was uncovered

A motorist was badly injured after he crashed into a pickup truck on Al Asayel road on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National

Police in Dubai arrested six men and seized 3.5 tonnes of goods bound for sale at illegal markets in the emirate.

The haul of contraband – including food, clothing and naswar, a smokeless tobacco product outlawed in the Emirates – was found hidden in labourers' accommodation.

Officers in Jebel Ali received information that three vehicles had been loaded with goods to be taken to unauthorised markets.

"The three drivers were apprehended by the task force at the same location where the goods were stored inside the contracting company’s labour accommodation," said Brig Adel Al Suwaidi, director of Jebel Ali Police station.

He said officers detained three other men, who were about to unload the goods.