Mr. Ali AL-Maghawi, Senior Manager of Airport Operations Department at Dubai Customs, explained that these white weapons were seized at the possession of some passengers of different ages and from different nationalities, and they were found hidden in their baggage and personal bags. The alertness of our Customs inspectors managed to thwart entry of the items into the country and then prevented any potential dangers that might occur as a result of their entry especially amongst youth, or unscrupulous people who neither care about their own safety nor others’, and who try to overlook  and circumvent the laws that govern this issue.

Mr. Ali AL-Maghawi, explained that the seizures included different types of white weapons, e.g. swords, daggers, knives, iron hands, batons and sticks. “The white weapons seized by Dubai Customs’ inspectors at Dubai Int’l Airport during 2009 were 351 pieces and in 2010 the numbers of seizures went down to 326, while in 2011 the seizures have further gone down to 233 pieces” he added. This indicates that passengers are becoming more aware of the highly efficient inspection role played by the department in this regard and Customs inspectors’ vigilance, which enable them to  thwart any potential attempt that might threaten the safety of the community and individuals.

Mr. AL-Maghawi ascertained that Dubai Customs, as part of being the forefront defender in protecting the community and playing its role, while facilitating free movement of people and goods on the basis of simplified procedures, exerts great efforts and strive to reducing commitment of crimes caused as a result of using the white weapons by ensuring prevention of their entry across Customs ports. Dubai Customs will always be ready to take the lead and shoulder responsibilities towards the welfare of the community. Dubai Customs always invests in its human capital, mainly, its efficient inspectors, and this is  primarily done, through their selection, qualification and honing their skills by regularly involving them in training courses in the field of inspection operations, teaching them how to identify the prohibited and restricted goods and how they can best deal with passengers. In addition to that, the Customs ports are well-equipped with the most advanced and high technical inspections systems to facilitate inspection operations effectively.