​Throughout the couple of years (2010 and 2011), Dubai Customs inspectors at Dubai International Airport halted entry of the outlawed Paan (Betel Leaf) and Neswar substances possessed by 174 passengers coming to the UAE through Dubai Int’l Airport.  

Mr. Ali Al Mugahwi, Director of Airport Operations Department at Dubai Customs stated that these substances were with the passengers who represented different nationalities in an attempt to enter to the UAE in their own luggage and personal belongings in different techniques. However, Customs inspectors’ vigilance helped foil these attempts every time.

Al Mugahwi said that the quantity of the seized items reached 13.2 kg within the two years. 94 seizures were conducted in 2010 with 5 kg and 80 seizures in 2011 weighing over 8.9 kg.

He also clarified that Neswar is a harmful substance which is outlawed by Dubai Municipality circular No 23/2003 and the same applies to Paan which is locally banned as per the local directive No 11/2003- Article (66) due to its negative impact on public health and the people of Dubai due to the health and environmental dangers associated with these substances. They also can stain the places where they are used and leaves ugly marks on the ground and on walls and distort the general tidy scene of the city. Not to mention that Paan and Neswar are considered of narcotics type since they contain tobacco leaves mixed with chemicals and some seeds from the southern and eastern southern parts of Asia where they are very commonly used.

Mr. Al Mugahwi stressed that Dubai Customs inspectors are highly qualified and have a great sense of alertness and customs focus against all that threatens the safety of the community and citizens. He highlighted as well the leading role Dubai Customs plays in protecting the community in parallel with maintaining smooth passage of people, baggage and goods assisted by simplified procedures.

He further noted that Dubai Customs invests in its human cadre especially the customs inspection teams through careful selection and sharpening their skills through ongoing enrollment in specialized training programs on inspection procedures and how to identify contrabands and prohibited items along with the adopted seizure steps and passengers’ treatment.