Criminal Investigation Arrests 27 Suspects for Tampering with Expiry Dates of Imported Fish
The Ministry of Interior arrested 27 suspects and 16 vehicles for tampering with the expiry dates of fish.
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
- 16 refrigerated vehicles containing 894 boxes seized... Defendants confessed to label forgery
The General Directorate of Criminal Investigation at the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Counter-Counterfeiting and Forgery Crimes Department, arrested 27 suspects for their involvement in tampering with the expiration dates of imported fish, as part of continuous security efforts to combat commercial fraud and protect consumers.
The Ministry of Interior stated in a press release that the arrest operation followed intelligence reports and investigations that revealed the suspects were altering the production and expiration dates on boxes of imported fish by printing labels with incorrect dates, with the aim of extending their shelf life and selling them to restaurants, companies, and retail stores.
It clarified that, after obtaining authorization from the Public Prosecution, specialized teams moved to the Central Fish Market, where the suspects were arrested and 16 refrigerated transport vehicles containing 894 boxes of imported fish with tampered expiration dates were seized, along with a computer used to prepare and print counterfeit labels.
The Ministry added that the suspects confessed, upon confrontation, to altering the expiration dates contrary to the truth, with the assistance of a printing company.
It noted that after visiting the offices of two other companies linked to the incident, it was found that they were merely registered addresses with no actual business activity.
The Ministry confirmed that the suspects and seized items have been referred to the competent authorities to take the necessary legal actions against them.
