Dubai: Dubai Police have seized counterfeit ink cartridges of printers worth Dh3.2 million and arrested seven suspects.

The illegal consignment was seized from an apartment in Naif area, an official told Gulf News.

Lieutenant-Colonel Omar Mohammad Bin Hamad, deputy director of the Anti-Economic Crime Department, said, “We were alerted about fake HP ink packs being distributed in the market.”

Police raided the apartment and arrested the owner and his six employees who were packing the cartridges, which looked like the original ones.

“They had been selling them in the local market and exporting them,” Lt-Col Bin Hamad said. “We seized fake cartridges worth Dh3.2 million. The suspects confessed to the crime and were referred to the Public Prosecution.”

Lt-Col Bin Hamad called on the public to report anyone selling goods suspected of being counterfeit.

“It is a global trade that damages legitimate businesses. We conduct inspections in shops and industrial areas in Dubai and also raise awareness among the public. Combating economic crimes is very important as it affects the famous brands being sold here,” he said.

Recently, Dubai Police seized counterfeit products worth Dh33 million including fake mobile phones and watches.