RIYADH, 15 August — An investigation team from the Commerce Ministry yesterday confiscated 83,000 bottles and packets of out-of-date medicines and imitation perfume, after raiding an unlicensed warehouse in Riyadh’s Faisaliya district.
Dr. Abdul Aali Ibrahim Al-Abdul Aali, director of the department for combating commercial fraud at the ministry, told Arab News that the warehouse belonged to a company which markets perfumes and cosmetics.
He added that the ministry has already prepared a list of the businessmen involved in this commercial fraud, and their names will be published in local newspapers — along with the punishments they receive.
The seized products, apart from the packets of medicine and bottles of perfume and cosmetics, included 600 fake logos and 850 empty bottles pasted with the stickers of international brands.
The raid was carried out by an investigation team led by Hasan Al-Aun after it received a tip-off from an official of Uniliver Arabia, an agent for a number of foreign products.
The warehouse was shut down and its owner taken for questioning.
The medical products confiscated from the warehouses included creams used for muscle and joint pains, antibiotics, and ointments to treat inflammation. Skin creams, shampoos, beautification creams and Vicks products were among other items seized.
The team launched the raid after observing the warehouse on suspicion that it was engaged in illegal activities after seeing workers loading and unloading products during the late hours.
