RIYADH: A warehouse has been shut down here following the seizure of 200,000 fake auto spare parts of popular brands meant for sales distribution in the capital.

The seizure included counterfeit oil, air filters of famous brands, such as Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, BMW, Audi and Mercedes.

Besides these items, the inspectors from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry seized 180,000 empty containers and plastic covers intended for counterfeiting process.

A truck loaded with large quantities of counterfeit parts to be distributed in the local market was also confiscated. According to an MCI official, the warehouse belonged to a specialized auto parts establishment located in Al-Manakh quarter. The inspectors found the workers packing the parts, made in China, in boxes bearing famous trademarks.

During the inspection, the MCI officials found that a few original spare parts were stored in the official store of the company, while the fake ones were hidden in another store far away from the real warehouse of the company.

The ministry has urged consumers to lodge their complaints and observations through the toll free number 1900, or through the application of a Commercial Notification.