Authorities in the Gulf emirate of Dubai seized in 2000 more than 700 kilograms (1,540 pounds) of paan, a mix of chewing tobacco and the Indian betel leaf and nut, a newspaper reported Saturday.
Dubai Municipality seized the paan in raids on eight flats following tip-offs from three members of the public who were each paid 2,000 dirhams (540 dollars) for the information, the Gulf News said.
The chewing of paan, although banned in Dubai on environmental grounds, is common in certain regions of the city and evident by walls streaked with the red juice the betel produces.
The municipality has so far fined 30 people 200 dirhams (54 dollars) each for "defacing public property by spitting out paan in public places", the paper said -- DUBAI (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
