The event, which was organized by Hatta Customs Centre, was held at the Hatta Public Library within the framework of efforts being taken by Dubai Customs to combat drug abuse and smuggling into the local market. The officials from Dubai Customs who attended the event included Ahmed Mahboob Musabah, Executive Director of Customs Relations Management Division and Abdul Rahim bin Qasim al Farsi, Assistant Director General for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, ROP. Several representatives from government departments and agencies at Hatta area also attended the events.
The events kicked off with a bus procession headed by cavalries from Dubai Police, from the Hatta Customs Centre at the UAE’s border port till Al Wajaja Border Port at Sultanate of Oman where they were received at the port by a number of senior officials who were invited to take part in the celebration. The attendees then proceeded to the Public Library at Hatta.
The celebrations started with the signing of the Emirati and Omani National Anthems, followed by recitation of some verses from the Holy Quran and followed by a speech by Ahmed Mahboob, who addressed and welcomed the attendees, expressing his gratitude to all participating parties from the Sultanate of Oman, Federal Ministries and Government Departments in Dubai and Dubai Customs’ strategic partners at Hatta Port who represent the first line of defence at the border and play a role in supporting legitimate trade. Dubai Customs always seeks to combat drug trafficking through efficient, qualified customs inspectors who are deployed at all customs ports. They are also equipped with the most advanced inspection tools.
Mahboob revealed that Dubai Customs is striving to develop competencies of its staff and inspectors by introducing training courses, on topics including body language, enhancement of Customs high sense belonging, besides, providing them with the most advanced customs inspection and examination technology, which has in turn fruitfully contributed to building the expertise of customs teams on foiling bids to smuggle drugs, in spite of the innovative methods that smugglers adopt to deceive customs inspectors.
Mahboob pointed out that “Dubai Customs seeks to enhance and establish a platform of joint relations and cooperation with all sectors of the community, including individuals, government and private agencies, involving their participation in different events and activities held by Dubai Customs with the aim of sharing its social responsibilities towards individuals and encouraging them to take part in various activities, particularly, the events related to health and safety.”
Abdul Rahim bin Qasim al Farsi, assistant director general for combating drugs and psychotropic substances, ROP delivered a speech in which he praised Dubai Customs’ efforts, and encouraged joint cooperation and coordination among all competent agencies in both the Sultanate of Oman and the UAE. He said, “Organizing a mutual celebration on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse reflects the common vision, strategy and programs related to fighting detrimental activities such as drug trafficking and drug abuse which affects mental well-being; counterfeiting; commercial fraud; and all forms of illegitimate trade.”
The celebration also included a cultural and awareness presentation about the harm caused by drugs, delivered by Captain, Jumaa Bilal AlSuwaidi from Dubai General Police Anti- Narcotics Department and a well-attended play about drugs acted out by Hatta Society for Arts & Culture.
At the end of the celebration, Dubai Customs honored the participating entities which included Dubai General Police represented by the State Security Department, Hatta Police Centre, Cavalry Department and Ministry of Interior Affairs represented by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Civil Defense General HQ, Dubai Municipality, Public Library - Oman Branch, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat), Hatta Society for Arts & Culture, Hatta Heritage Village in addition to Sultanate of Oman Police and Al Wajaja Border Port Customs Centre.