Last September, Dubai Customs led international efforts to thwart a bid to smuggle 8.5 kg of pure cocaine hidden inside the frame of an African passenger’s bag. The operation, which started in Lagos, Nigeria and ended In the Indian capital of New Delhi in transit to Dubai, culminated in the seizure of the haul, valued at as much as AED 12 million. The information provided to Indian authorities by Dubai Customs led to apprehension of the accused after locating his place of residence, while the bag with its contents was seized upon arrival at the airport.
Mr. Ali Al Maqhawi, Director of Airports Operations at Dubai Customs, disclosed the details of the operation. He explained the clues which unfolded, leading to the detection of the smuggling bid at Dubai International Airport. The inspectors at Dubai Customs suspected a bag, which was placed under close surveillance by the concerned team. Through active cooperation and coordination with strategic partners at Dubai International Airport, and following an intensive investigation, the bag owner was identified. The suspected bag owner, instead of proceeding to visa and passport controls to enter the country, headed to the Airport’s transit area and purchased a ticket to Delhi, in an attempt to elude customs authorities.
In line with the joint cooperation and coordination maintained between Dubai Customs and the General Department of Anti-Narcotics - Dubai Police General Headquarters, a controlled delivery operation was carried out for the bag and passenger. The suspected baggage information was passed on to New Delhi’s concerned authorities, in order to act as necessary.
Before the passenger’s arrival to India, the information was passed on to the competent authorities for further processing. As a result of monitoring the issue with the authorities there, the bag was seized upon arrival to the New Delhi airport. The inspection revealed that it contained (8.5 kg) of pure cocaine; with a commercial value of about AED 12 million. The Indian authorities were able to determine the smuggler’s location and subsequently arrested him based on the accurate information they received from the UAE security authorities about his place of residence after the reception of his bag. The efficiency of the operation assures that the Customs staff conducts its inspection procedures with precise follow up and accuracy.
Ali Al Maqhawi affirmed that Dubai Customs is keen to combat the smuggling of local and international prohibited materials, with top priority placed narcotics due to their detriment to societies and their human resources. Dubai Customs depends on well-trained, professional personnel who attend specialized training courses on recognizing narcotics, various types of drugs, smuggling methods, and the treatment of passengers in such cases.
Al Maqhawi also gave emphasis to the joint cooperation and coordination with security and customs authorities in Dubai and India, as this cooperation resulted in foiling the smuggling attempt. He lauded the Dubai Customs inspectors’ attentiveness, high sense of patriotism, and excellent handling of such incoming information.