Participants at the second Dubai Customs Forum for Combating Narcotics reaffirmed the importance of exchange of data, and to enhance cooperation and partnership between different parties and relevant authorities to achieve best results in combating drug trafficking.
The event was organized virtually with the attendance of 250 individuals, in conjunction with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which is observed annually on 26th June 2021.
This year’s edition was held under the theme: “Committed to our Homeland. Drugs are a Crime”, and the sessions highlighted the UAE efforts in combating drugs and how best to exchange experiences and best practices to intercept, detect and thwart smuggling attempts. Participants raised awareness around the perils of drugs and ways of safeguarding the society from its hazards.
Musabih said there were 296 million drug abusers in 2018, a 30% increase from 2009, and there are 128 international passengers around the globe in 2019 on board 107,000 flights. This necessitates more cooperation and partnership between customs and law enforcing authorities around the world to combat drug trafficking and prevent its spread, he said.
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“Protection is our strategic goal, and this is heavily embedded in the Department’s 2021-2026 five-year plan. We aim to lead globally in security and safety, and these forums connect us to our stakeholders and other regional and global authorities to facilitate exchange of customs information and be able to spot and intercept suspicious shipments before arriving into the entry points. This is vital in combating smuggling and trade fraud. The development of smuggling methods is one of the challenges facing administrations worldwide, and there have been increasing attempts to smuggle drugs in the recent years. This necessitates cooperation and exchange of intelligence data between different parties.”
Musabih added:
“Dubai Customs has equipped its customs centers with the most advanced systems and technologies such as the container scanning systems at Jebel Ali Port, and the suspicious container tracking system. We have launched Siyaj (fence) Initiative to curb all smuggling attempts at the coastal entry ports, and we have enhanced the operations with 10 electric buggies to patrol the inspection areas around the clock. These efforts have led to thwart 1,118 narcotics smuggling attempts through Dubai entry ports in 2020.
On the occasion, HE Mr. Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahej Al Falasi, Federal Customs Authority Director-General said:
“We are proud of the UAE’s achievement against drugs trafficking. There is a noticeable growth in seizures in the last few years. In 2020, seizures of narcotics achieved in the country increased to 5,992 from 4,347 in the year before. In Q1, 2021, 1,828 seizures were made, and this reflects great governance and enhanced cooperation and high professionalism from inspection officers’ side.”
Relatedly, Maj. Gen. Expert Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansoori. Assistant Commander for the Criminal Investigation Affairs, Dubai Police shed light on Dubai Police’s efforts in fighting drug trafficking and said the human and financial capabilities work in harmony toward a drug-free society, while giving unlimited support to people recovering from addiction and helping them integrate well into the society.
Al Mansouri thanked Dubai Customs for the fruitful cooperation and exchange of data, which led to thwart numerous smuggling attempts.
On his part, Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Policy and Licensing Sector in the Ministry of Health and Prevention said the Ministry cooperates with strategic partners to safeguard society and protect it from the hazards of different narcotics. He highlighted the Ministry efforts in this regard including the launch of the Unified Controlled Medication Platform.
The forum included a panel discussion titled “Exchange of experiences toward best practices in drugs trafficking” which was moderated by Khalil Saqer bin Gharib, Director of Corporate Communication Department. The Ministry of Interior, the Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILO), the Federal Customs Authority, Dubai Customs and Abu Dhabi Customs participated in the discussion.
Colonel Omar Khalfan, Director of Federal Department for Combating Narcotics at the Ministry of Interior talked about the Ministry’s strategy in fighting narcotics trafficking, and its efforts in cooperating with all strategic partners. Around 86 sensitive pieces of information have been exchanged and circulated among customs departments since 2019.
Lt. Colonel Dr. Abdulrahman Sharaf Al Maamari Deputy Manager of Hemaya International Center at Dubai Police said the plan goes in two parallel lines: to combat and to protect. He said there is fruitful cooperation with the Interpol and the liaison officers to intercept suspicious shipments before arrival at the entry ports.
The RILO office highlighted statistics related to narcotics in the Middle East stating that captagon pills top the list of seized prohibited materials in the region. The Office circulated 142 warnings including 103 related to narcotics in Q1, 2021.
Abdullah Al Badwawi, head of Operations and Customs Control at the Federal Customs Authority said there are 3,978 inspection officers and 335 inspection equipment and systems in place dedicated to tackle this rogue business.
Mohammed Al Hamli, head of Risk Section at Abu Dhabi Customs showcased the Smart Yas system which provides information and connects with government authorities turning the inspection cycle into a smart one.
Mohammed Al Suwaidi, head of Intelligence Operations Section at Dubai Customs talked about the vital role the Intelligence Department plays in collecting and analyzing data through the Smart Risk Engine. At the end of the session, Mohammed Al Halyan, Head of Patrol Team at Dubai Customs shed light on the efforts of the Inspection Division during the spread of Covid-19, and its national duty to safeguard the inspectors from the virus.
Last year’s edition was a big success and saw the active participation of Federal Customs Authority, the Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILO), the Saudi Customs Authority, the local customs departments in the UAE and more than 200 specialists.