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29 March 2024

Diwali lights up illegal sale of fireworks

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

The flickering overhead light simply adds to the ominous proceedings as this reporter is led into the backroom of a small grocery tucked away in the heart of Karama.

We have been informed this grocery is a prime supplier of fireworks ahead of the festive season, and the rates are supposedly cheaper than that offered in Bur Dubai; we are not disappointed.

Out comes a photograph displaying rows upon rows of hand-held sparklers, rockets, spouting fountains, crackling bombs and what not, all selling like hot cakes ahead of the Diwali and Eid Al Adha rush, which starts this week with the Indian festival of lights falling of October 26, followed by the Eid weekend from November 4.

Sparklers, we are told, comes in two sizes: a pack of 100 mite sized ones cost Dh50; while larger ones in packs of eight cost Dh10 a piece.

The dazzling array of rockets would even pale a regular fireworks display during festive season, with prices ranging from Dh60 for a pack of bottle rockets to Dh120 for larger ones that are akin to those used during the Dubai Shopping Festival daily display.

“The hot sellers are the spouting fountains and the spinning wheel (called zameen chakri in India),” said Akbar Pasha (name changed). “We have sold at least 100 packs of each since the Diwali sales of fireworks began three weeks ago.”
 
These packs don’t come cheap, with a box of six retailing at Dh60 and up, with many stores hiking up prices as the cost increases.

While standing there, mulling over the choices available, the grocery managed to sell Dh900 worth of fireworks in less than 10 minutes.

 The festive sale of crackers and fireworks, it appears, is not new in Dubai, with illegal supplies being shipped into the country every Diwali and Eid, as this reporter is duly informed.

“You are new, so clearly you aren’t aware of the prices that we offer on our fireworks every year, and they change only when our suppliers increase their rates,” said Ali Imran (name changed), who works in a supermarket in Bur Dubai that, according to him, has garnered many loyal customers over the years for its top-rated fireworks.

“We have clients who return to us every year because of our top quality crackers and we ensure our loyalists get good rates and maybe a few extras,” Imran proudly adds.

However, over the last few years, Dubai Police has cracked down severely on such retail selling, with dire consequences for the shopkeepers.

A Dubai Police source told Emirates 24|7: “The number of such illegal activities has greatly reduced in the last few years, however, there are reports of increased activities during the festive period.

“Usually, the incidences involve smaller shops with the majority of buyers being Asian expats, who buy for their children during festivals.”

The source added that punishment levied differs, depending on the severity of the crime.

“The first time it happens, items are confiscated and the shopkeeper is let off with a warning,” he said. “The second time it occurs, the shop can be fined and closed for a period.

“If the crime is repeated, then the owner may even lose his license and be prosecuted by the criminal courts.”

However, both, Pasha and Imran say that despite authorities clamping down on sales, most have devised a sure fire way of making the sale.

“We don’t keep fireworks on the premises, but rather use photographs to target our customers who make enquires and bring the stock in within minutes,” said Pasha.

Imran, it seems, is more e-savvy and has a customer base of emails where orders are accumulated and then delivered at home; but all that comes for an extra cost.

“The average customer usually spends between Dh300 and Dh500 on fireworks, and we maintain a stead supply all through Christmas season,” said Raju Joseph, from a small mom and pop grocery in Satwa.