Dubai Customs foiled a bid to smuggle narcotics heading to Canada through Dubai. Dubai Cargo Village (DCV) inspectors managed to uncover 3 kg of opium which was hidden in winter coats and kids’ clothes found in two separate air cargos which were coming from an Arab country on their way to Canada.
Mr. Omar Ahmad Al Muhairy, Senior Manager of Air Cargo Operations at Dubai Customs said that Customs inspectors suspected the contents of the two parcels which arrived on the same day, but on different flights, after checking them in the x-ray machine which detected lumpiness in some areas; hence, both parcels were searched manually.
During the manual search routine, the inspectors found a hidden substance in the coats and kids’ clothes which increased their doubts of containing narcotics; therefore, the Technical Support unit at Dubai Customs was contacted to examine a sample and results came back confirming their doubts as it proved to be opium narcotics weighing 3 kg; 1 kg in one parcel and 2 kg in the other one.
Mr. Al Muhairy stated that coordination was made with the General Department of the Anti-Narcotics Department of Dubai Police to transfer the haul and notify the respective Canadian authorities about its details so as to capture the implicated people in this offense. The cargo was supposed to pass through Britain as well before reaching its final destination in Canada.
Al Muhairy further said that the British and Canadian authorities seized the two cargos and legal actions were taken against them which lays further emphasis on the necessity of international cooperation in every smuggling related incident and the need to eliminate this illegal trade of narcotics which threatens the nations and economies. Dubai Customs played a major role in reinforcing efforts and achieving success in foiling this attempt which was transiting through three different continents; Asia, Europe and North America.
Dubai Customs received a statement from a security official representing the UK Serious Anti-crime Agency expressing his sincere gratitude to the official authorities in Dubai for all the support provided in this domain. He also pointed out that the two cargos were confiscated in cooperation with the Canadian authorities while transiting into the UK.
Al Muhairy stressed Customs keenness to accomplish its strategic vision of being the leading customs administration supporting legitimate trade and its mission towards protecting society from these harmful substances to the humans’ health anywhere found. He said that Dubai Customs vigilance helps them notice the content of any commercial cargo whether heading to the local market or transiting to another country which leads to seizing numerous smuggling attempts of narcotics and illegal goods. “Customs inspectors are well-qualified and have great skills that were nourished by the training courses they receive by the Department on inspection methods and mechanisms of detecting narcotics and prohibited items in a way leading to achieve the corporate vision and values as well as Customs responsibility towards both; local and international communities.” He added.
It is worth noting that inspectors of DCV Inspection Center managed to seize over 53.5 kg of narcotics within the first seven months of 2010. There were 10 seizures that contained opium, heroin and poppy which were hidden using different smuggling techniques such as documents parcels, luggage, medical instruments, artistic paintings, spare parts, coats and kids’ wear.
Narcotics seizures in DCV Inspection Center at Dubai Customs
(from January to July 2010)