Over 9,000 MUSD raids last year

CHAMIKARA WEERASINGHE

The Measurement Units, Standards and Services Department (MUSD) conducted 9,211 raids on errant traders last year and arrested 2,613 for cheating consumers by using false weights and measures.

Some were taken into custody for selling inadequate packages and enclosing goods that contain less than the quantity stated on the package, said Measurement Units, Standards and Services Department Director General Premasiri Kumara.

He said the department instituted legal action against 500 errant bakeries which sold under weighted bread.

"The Special Flying Squad of Measurement Units and Services Department (MUSD)detected under weighted loaves of bread being sold in every district, except in Jaffna and Batticaloa," he said.

"The bakeries responsible for manufacturing, distributing and selling bread weighing less than the standard weight were mostly detected in Colombo," he said.

"We also sued traders who had used unstamped weighing instruments and measures. Some were arrested for using fake measuring instruments and false weights," he said.

"Thousands of illegal measuring equipment have been taken into custody from January 2012 upto now," he said. He also said MUSD Flying Squad on Thursday arrested 27 traders in Pettah for selling grapes to consumers using fake weights.

"They have sold lesser quantities to purchasers. After purporting to sell 500 grams of grapes at a price of Rs 100 they have defrauded the consumers by delivering just 300 grams for that price," he said.

"We received many complaints from consumers about this activity by grape sellers at the Bo Gaha junction in Pettah," he said.