Dubai Police arrest beggar with Dh40,000 in possession

Dubai police arrested a beggar 40,000 dirhams worth of various currencies were seized from him.

The Police said he was detained as part of a crackdown on Ramadan begging. During the first two weeks of Ramadan, 178 people were arrested for begging in the emirate. In the UAE, begging is illegal, and police say the public is inadvertently aids crime by giving money those who ask for help on the street.

The new law targets beggars and organized gangs with severe fines and imprisonment.

Col. Ahmed Al Adidi of the Dubai Police urged people not to donate to anyone asking for money on the street and to donate to registered charities instead.

There are" Official and charitable organizations and authorities are ready to help the poor," he said.

He also urged the public to beggars on 901 or through the "police eye" service on the Dubai Police's smartphone app.