Brief: Saudi authorities close fake Dettol factory

Enforcement agencies in Saudi Arabia have seized thousands of containers of counterfeit Dettol brand detergent and shut down the illicit factory making the fakes.

The team, led by inspectors from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI), raided the production unit at a holiday resort located east of the capital Riyadh.

They uncovered 20,000 empty bottles ready for refilling, 2,000 bottles ready for sale 15,000 empty cartons and 40,000 counterfeit caps bearing the Dettol trademark, owned by UK firm Reckitt Benckiser.

They also found machines for sealing the caps, thermal packaging tools, a 1-ton capacity tank and a second 200kg tank filled with antiseptic liquid. The owner of the plant - a Saudi national - and a team of illegal foreign workers have been detained for questioning.

The operation was prompted by a tip-off from a company stating that counterfeit famous brand detergents were being sold in Saudi markets.