1,037 smuggling bids foiled in Dubai in six months

The Dubai Customs’ Passenger Operations Department made 1,037 confiscations in the first half of 2014, marking a growth of 23 per cent over the 843 seizures made during the same period last year.

The seized items include narcotic drugs, prohibited and restricted substances, fake documents, and arms and accessories.

Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), attributed all achievements made by the Dubai Customs to the “unwavering support” of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, said: “These figures are in line with the measures taken by the Dubai Customs to protect the community and boost Dubai and the UAE’s security and stability.”

Ahmed bin Lahej, Director of Passenger Operations, said: “Fake documents and passports represented 357 confiscations; arms and accessories 159; narcotics 205; Paan 140; restricted medicines 19; counterfeit goods 18; wildlife (CITES) 10; (and the rest constituted) fake credit cards, undeclared goods and tools used in sorcery and black magic.”