Dubai Customs Makes 398 Drug Seizures In Q1, 2021

Dubai Customs operates a solid and coherent strategy in combating the smuggling of prohibited and restricted materials to ensure safety and security of the society and prosperity and growth of the national economy consolidating the UAE’s standing as one of the safest nations worldwide. The Government Department managed with outstanding efficiency to combat and thwart all drugs smuggling attempts thanks to the alertness and professionalism of its inspection officers, full coordination between customs departments, and advanced technologies and systems in place. 

In conjunction with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which is observed annually on 26th June 2021, Dubai Customs announced they have made 398 seizures during Q1, 2021. In 2020, the Government department made 1,118 seizures through different entry points in Dubai. 

In the first quarter this year, the Sea Customs Centers Management made 6 seizures, the Inland Customs Centers Management made 35 seizures, Passenger Operations Department made 131 seizures, and the Air Cargo Centers Management made 226 seizures. 

Commenting on these figures, H.E. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs said: 

“Protection is our strategic goal, and this is heavily embedded in the Department’s 2021-2026 five-year plan. Our role at the frontlines is essential to ensure the safety and security of our society. For that, we have equipped our customs centers with advanced inspection systems such as the container scanning system at Jebel Ali Port and the smart bag inspection system at Dubai airports. Along with this we have developed the competencies of our inspection officers and raised the efficiency of the inspection process through continuous development and training.”

Relatedly, Dr. Abdullah Busnad, Executive Director of Customs Inspection Division at Dubai Customs said:

“Customs Inspection Division managed to thwart numerous smuggling attempts despite the cunning technical tricks smugglers follow. Siyaj security initiative, developed in-house, has helped a lot in this regard. One of the recent seizures was a container in which 76.31 of drugs, with a street value of AED47.5 million (30.15kg of crystal meth, and 46.16 of cannabis) were skilfully hidden. We have also launched “A Safe Homeland Campaign” to boost the efficiency of our customs centers, and it led to thwarting the smuggling of 3 million Captagon pills.  

Customs inspection officers receive advanced training on different types of drugs, smuggling and counterfeiting methods and body language. 

On his part, Shuaib Al Suwaidi, Director of Customs Intelligence Department said:

“We have turned our entry points into an impenetrable wall against all smuggling attempts thanks to our advanced systems including the Smart Risk Engine, which Dubai Customs developed to detect and intercept suspicious shipments of all types. The Intelligence Department analyzes and assesses data and tracks shipments coming into Dubai following coherent plans. Rafid service, the secure communication channel between Dubai Customs and the public, also plays an important role in effective communication and reporting any violations in this regard.”