Watch: Sharjah man arrested for selling tap water as Zamzam
Authorities warn public against buying unverified products online
DUBAI: Authorities in Sharjah have dismantled an illicit operation in which a man was caught bottling and selling ordinary tank water as Zamzam water.
The activity was discovered in a residential villa that had been illegally converted into a water bottling site. Sharjah Municipality teams, in joint coordination between the Control and Inspection Department and the Health and Safety Department, conducted the operation following routine surveillance.
Suspicious vehicle movements involving large quantities of bottled water being loaded from the property prompted an immediate raid. Upon entering the premises, officials arrested the individual found inside. Numerous cartons and plastic containers labelled as Zamzam water were seized. The water was being bottled in unhygienic conditions and promoted to consumers via social media.
Fraudulent invoicing
Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, Director General of Sharjah City Municipality, stated that during the inspection, financial documents were recovered linking the fraudulent operation to R.T. Mineral Water Trading Company – a licensed entity legally owned by the arrested individual. The suspect had been exploiting the company’s name to provide invoices for the counterfeit Zamzam water.
The Department of Economic Development swiftly responded by shutting down the facility, while Sharjah Police referred the suspect for investigation. Legal and administrative actions are underway against him.
Public alert
The municipality has reiterated its commitment to combating activities that pose a threat to public health or involve deception for financial gain. The residence involved has been sealed, and all contaminated goods were confiscated and disposed of in accordance with municipal procedures.
Sharjah City Municipality urges residents not to engage with unlicensed food and drink suppliers, particularly those advertising on social media. Authorities recommend verifying the source and licensing of any such products and advise the public to report suspicious activity by calling the municipal hotline at 993.