Dubai Customs inspectors in Cargo Village caught more than 2 million tablets of narcotics classified as the top enlisted category. The consignment was incoming from an Asian country to be delivered to a company unlicensed for importing pharmaceuticals.
Mr. Omar Ahmed Aluhairi – Senior Manager of Dubai Customs Air Cargo Operation explained: During the routine operations of examining bills of entry, the description of the goods in the customs declaration was suspected. The consignment was detained until the declarant appeared to release. After tracking the activity, it was tuned out that the declarant got the bill of lading issued from the handling company without processing the customs declaration but only after 10 days. At his appearance, he wanted to re-export the goods by issuing a customs declaration of importation for re-exportation, the suspect was seen very much perturbed. This embarrassing situation led the team to examine the contents at his presence. The inspectors could put hand on 27 cartons containing 2.16 million tablets of narcotics weighing almost one ton and 235kg.
Mr. Omar learnt that a sample of the detained goods was referred to the inspector of Ministry of Health who available at the Cargo Village. the expert reported that the detained goods is enlisted as the first type of controlled category and the confiscated substance is surely not included within the medical prescription usage, in addition to that, the importation of such type of drugs is not allowed without a prior approval – the implicated company is clearly violated the law and the company at the same time is registered as a General Trading Company but is not licensed to import drugs. Besides, any importation of goods into the county must be on a prior approval from the Ministry of Health in UAE and approval from the exporting country.
The Ministry of Health inspector said: the usage of this drug is prescribed only for a limited dosage and not allowed without a medical prescription. This large quantity of importation by the company creates a lot of inquiries. It is also noted that the above mentioned conditions are unlikely applied on the owner of this company to import, export or re-export this type of medicines. On the basis of these details, a seizure report was issued, and legal procedures were taken against the owner of the company and the goods.
This medicine is used for relieving slight and hard pains. The medical studies describe the chemical characteristics of this medicine is similar to Morphine and Codeine product and if overused, this may consequently make the addicts increasingly use higher dosage to get satisfied. The reaction of this medicine is interrelated with strong desire and misbehavior of the addicts, many cases were reported on the misuse. On the other hand, there are many demands from the forensic laboratories requesting to enlist this medicine under Law on Anti-Drugs Control because of the effects of the medicine likely as the narcotics.
Mr. Omar Almihairi stressed on the role that played by the Customs to stand as a frontline defender to protect the community and responsibilities of preserving health and safety of individuals. Seriously endeavor to realize vision that laid down in its first strategic document in terms of supporting the legitimate trade worldwide. These objectives are targeted by Dubai Customs to achieve by providing qualified inspectors with high efficiency delegating them to join training courses, workshops, other training programs for learning body language, providing them with most advanced technology in the field of inspection, examination and the other skills which will help them in controlling attempts of smuggling prohibited and restricted goods