Dubai- Dubai Customs inspectors at Dubai Cargo Village (DCV) foiled a bid to smuggle large amount of sexual pills which are not registered in the UAE. Weighing about a ton and a half, the one million pills were seized from an air cargo heading from an Asian country into the UAE. The haul was not granted import licensing by the specialized authorities for this type of products.
During a routine inspection procedure of the cargoes entering Dubai, a Customs inspector suspected a cargo which contained 32 cartons of tablets, which were later announced to reach around one million pills. A sample was taken and transferred to the Registration and Drug Control Department at the Ministry of Health.
The Registration and Drug Control Department stated that the seized pills are sexual pills of Cobra type “130 mg” and Maximum type “130 mg” which contained Sildenafil substance. Both trademarks are not registered in the UAE with no studies or test certificates found in their respect. Thus, their side effects are unknown and can be dangerous on the consumers. It is worth noting that the highest known drug composition is of 100 mg while the seized pills were of 130 mg.
Consequently, a seizure report was issued in this regard and the cargo was kept at the DCV to take the necessary legal action against it since it was not registered in the UAE nor did the importer receive an authorization from the local respective authorities.
Mr. Mohammed Mattar Al Marri, Executive Director of Customs Cargo Division at Dubai Customs stressed the Department’s role in protecting the local community from the dangers of smuggling such prohibited and other counterfeited substances as well as marinating individuals’ health and safety.
Mr. Al Marri pointed out that safeguarding the society is a top priority at Dubai Customs since it is considered an integrative role of the efforts made to achieve its vision towards supporting legitimate trade movement meeting the perspectives of its strategic plan in terms of contributing to reinforcing economic and social development.
Furthermore, Mr. Al Marri confirmed the ongoing cooperation and coordination between Dubai Customs and its strategic partners of the local departments, ministries and federal authorities in protecting the community from such threats.
Mr. Omar Ahmed Al Muhairi, Senior Manager of Air Cargo Department affirmed that Customs inspectors’ vigilance and knowledge await and confront the smugglers due to the proper investment in the internal cadre and enrolling the inspectors in specialized training courses on inspection methods and the different twisted smuggling techniques. He added:" For some ill-hearted people who forge cargo declarations details, they misinterpret the facilitations provided to accelerate the adopted clearance procedures at Dubai Customs trying to take advantage of the services in order to generate profit illegally and serve their own interest.”
“This qualified cadre is also well-equipped with hi-tech inspection tools which can detect any kind of prohibited materials in the cargoes.” He noted.
Mr. Al Muhairi stated said that facilitating procedures does not mean violating security since Customs is at the forefront to defend the community and is very responsible for sustaining this role. “Throughout the past years, Dubai Customs proved that it is up to the challenge by combating several smuggling attempts of counterfeited, illegal and prohibited goods. Such a thing helped anchor its internationally well-reputed status in supporting legitimate trade movement.” He further said.