Two businessmen sentenced for distributing counterfeit hair dye

Colombo, June 4 (Daily Mirror) - Two businessmen were sentenced and fined by the Maligakanda Chief Magistrate's Court yesterday (03) for storing and distributing counterfeit hair dye products in Wellampitiya and Pettah, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said.

The CAA said that the charges followed a raid and investigation conducted in April, which uncovered fake 10-gram packets of Amin's hair dye a product legally manufactured and sold in 21-gram packages.

The accused, Mohamed Anhal Mohamed Milhan, a resident of Wellampitiya, and Mohamed Naseem Samsudeen Mohamed Rinas, a resident of Colombo 14, both pleaded guilty to four charges. The Court imposed a fine of Rs. 7,500 on each for the offenses.

In addition, the Court sentenced Mohamed Naseem Samsudeen Mohamed Rinas, who was responsible for distributing the counterfeit goods, to six months of rigorous imprisonment, suspended for five years, alongside the fine.

A business entity, Peta Essence Suppliers, based in Colombo 12, also pleaded guilty to storing counterfeit products and was fined Rs. 7,500.

The CAA further advised consumers and traders that the legitimate manufacturer of Amin's hair dye only produces and distributes 21-gram packages. The public has been urged to avoid purchasing 10-gram packets falsely bearing the original manufacturer’s branding, and business owners have been instructed to remove any such counterfeit products from circulation immediately.

The CAA confirmed that its officers have been directed to strictly enforce regulations against vendors dealing in counterfeit and deceptive products to safeguard consumer rights and fair market practices.