Dubai Customs inspectors halt smuggling attempt of 3.6 kg opium at Cargo Village

Dubai Customs inspectors at Dubai Cargo Village have halted an attempt to smuggle 3.6 kg of opium, concealed in a shipment coming from an Asian country and heading to a European airport.

Hamid Mohammed Rasheed, Director of Air Customs Centres Management at Dubai Customs, revealed that the consignment contained 40 handbags, weighing 21 kg, as stated in the customs declaration. During regular clearance and inspection procedures, inspectors suspected the contents of the shipment, which called for a manual search. The officers found a black substance that has the characteristics of a narcotic skilfully stuffed in the lining of the bags. Close examination of the substance showed it’s about opium.

Mr Rasheed added that in line with the joint coordination between Dubai Customs and Dubai Police, the shipment was handed over to the General Department of Anti-Narcotics for further action.

He emphasized DC’s steadfast commitment to thwarting traffic of narcotics and all internationally prohibited materials. This comes in an effort to support global legitimate trade and in view of the risks these materials pose to human health, economy and community, whether they are meant for local markets or transiting to another country via Dubai. Mr Rasheed lauded the inspectors' alertness and high sense of security, which impact positively on the reputation of Dubai and the UAE at the universal level.

The Director of Air Customs Centres Management said that the competency and expertise of DC inspectors, coupled with the continuous training they receive are the main factors that led to raising suspicions in this shipment and thus blocking the entry of the narcotics into the country.

DC inspectors are regularly enrolled in specialized counter-narcotics courses covering all areas, including identification of all types of narcotics and their individual characteristics in terms of form, colour and smell. They are also trained on inspection tactics based on the type of the shipment and are equipped with latest devices that help them do their job efficiently.