In Cooperation with the Security Authority and the Secretariat of Al Ahsa province, MCI inspection teams seized 11 tons of flavored tobacco of unknown origin, not bearing any commercial data in a farm at Al-Ahsa Governorate.
In details, MCI received a tip about labors using a farm for suspicious purposes. MCI inspection teams, supported by the security authorities and the secretariat of Al Ahsa province, inspected the farm. They found illegal labors using the farm for preparing counterfeit flavored tobacco by filling it in special cans bearing famous trademarks. They found as well large quantities of products and flavors for preparing such fake tobacco. All the seized quantities were confiscated and destroyed, also the site had been closed, as well as handing over the illegal labors to the police and the owner of the farm was summoned for further investigation and taking the legal measures.
MCI would like to confirm the continuation of its inspection and control rounds on the warehouses and all commercial establishments to ensure the absence of counterfeiting or manipulation, besides protecting the consumers against any sub-standard products, not conforming with the approved standard specifications. Notably, penalties are imposed against the institutions not committing to rules and regulations, as per the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law. Penalties may include a fine of one million riyals, imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years or both, with the closure of the establishment, in addition to publishing the verdict in two local newspapers at the expense of the violator.
MCI calls on all consumers to lodge their complaints and observations through MCI Consumer Call Center (1900), or through the applying of a Commercial Violation Report, or via the Ministry's Website.