Thursday 4 June 2026
The Consumer Protection Authority, represented by the Consumer Protection Department in South Al Batinah Governorate – Barka, through its Inspection and Market Surveillance Section and in coordination with the Public Prosecution, conducted a raid on a premises located in a residential area in Barka and apprehended expatriate workers involved in storing and selling counterfeit vehicle spare parts. The quantity of the seized items exceeded 13,000 pieces, comprising vehicle air filters and spark plugs, which were stored in premises not licensed or equipped for conducting such commercial activities.
The case originated following the receipt of a report from a consumer alleging that a group of expatriate workers were engaged in the sale of adulterated and counterfeit vehicle spare parts, namely vehicle air filters and spark plugs bearing an international trademark. The workers were storing the products in a house located within a residential area without the necessary authorization and distributing and selling them to a number of commercial establishments as genuine products.
Following investigation and inquiry, it was established that a group of expatriates had been carrying out commercial activities without obtaining the required licenses from the competent authorities. Upon questioning, the violators admitted to the offences attributed to them. The seized items were impounded, and the necessary legal measures were taken. Such practices constitute a violation of Article (7) of the Consumer Protection Law, which provides that: “It is prohibited to circulate any adulterated, spoiled, counterfeit, or unauthorized goods, and it is likewise prohibited to advertise such goods.”
Accordingly, the Authority initiated the necessary legal procedures and referred the case file to the Public Prosecution, which secured a conviction against the two defendants for the misdemeanour of circulating counterfeit and adulterated goods. The Court imposed a fine of OMR 2,000, imprisonment for three months, permanent deportation from the Sultanate upon completion of the sentence, confiscation and destruction of the seized items, permanent closure of the company's activities, publication of a summary of the judgment at the expense of the convicted parties, and payment of the costs of the criminal proceedings.
It is worth noting that the imposition of such penalties and fines serves as a deterrent against any person who seeks to infringe consumers’ rights or cause harm to their health and safety, while safeguarding all rights guaranteed to them under the provisions of the law, thereby contributing to a society free from negative practices that adversely affect individuals and the community.