A group of Asian men were arrested in Al Ain city for illegally processing banned tobacco, commonly known as ‘Niswar’ and selling them to residents.

Abu Dhabi Police said the men were caught processing the illegal chewing tobacco from a small factory in their home located in Al Safra neighbourhood in the industrial area of Al Ain.

The men could then pack the Niswar in small sized-packages and sell it to various Asian workers.

The force also confiscated raw materials and high-risk processing equipment, including blenders and shredders that were being used in the manufacture of Niswar at the small factory.

The force had raided the men’s house after getting tip-offs from their sources.

Police investigations have revealed that the Asian men were staying in the country illegally after their visas had expired.

Niswar is commonly chewed by Asian men in UAE being the cheapest form of chewing tobacco.

Municipality inspectors in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain are constantly monitoring areas to protect the public from harmful goods, and through their joint campaigns with police, pursue all types of illegal activities.

Municipality inspectors had in the past years discovered niswar sold to Asian workers under counters at some grocery shops in the emirate.

Custom authorities also seize any amount of niswar and other banned tobacco found being smuggled into the country and then inform the municipality to take action.

Health officials and police have always issued warnings on the use of illegal chewing tobacco.

According to health authorities, Niswar poses a significant threat to the health of people and causes adverse impacts to humans similar to that of chewing tobacco because it contains nicotine.