Cloth samples cargo used in the smuggling operation
Dubai Customs inspectors at Dubai Cargo Village foiled an attempt to smuggle 13,629 pills of Captagon narcotics; a very life-threatening chemical drug. The haul was confiscated from a cargo on a flight coming from an Arab country to a gulf country through Dubai International Airport.
Mr. Omar Ahmad Al Mehairi, Senior Manager of Air Cargo Operations at Dubai Customs said:" During the routine inspection procedures of postal parcels at Dubai Cargo Village, Customs inspectors suspected a textile cargo which comprised 59 cloth samples coming from an Arab country to a gulf destination. Thus, the cargo was examined through the x-ray machine and an unusual lumpiness was detected in some parts of the fabric samples. The cargo was searched manually only to find a haul of pills hidden in the middle of the cartoon sides of the cloth samples. The Customs K9- dog squad was brought into the scene along with the Mobile Lab which both confirmed that the seized pills were a contraband identified as Captagon”.
Captagon pills were cunningly hidden amidst the cartoon sides of the cloth samples
Mr. Al Mehairi stated that Captagon narcotics is one of the most dangerous chemical narcotics and has the same effect of cocaine. He added as well that drug dealers tend to produce the contraband since no farms or manual labor are required in the production process.
Al Mehairi noted that Dubai Customs is entrusted with a big responsibility since smuggling mobs attempt to misuse the international trade location of Dubai to perform illegal demeanors. He stressed as well that Dubai Customs is up to the challenge as it is at the forefront protecting the society and maintaining the individuals’ health and safety. Performing these core functions, the Department is keen on providing its inspectors with the necessary skills and technology which help foil any smuggling attempt of contrabands; illegal, prohibited and counterfeit.
Customs inspector discovers the hidden Captagon pills
He further noted that the case was transferred to the Anti-Narcotics General Department of Dubai Police which normally in such cases pass on the information to the country to which the cargo is heading to so that accomplices of the crime can be arrested red-handed upon arrival of the cargo.