Dubai Customs has successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 7.06 kilograms of narcotics plants through Dubai International Airport (DXB).
The drugs were concealed within bags of a popular breakfast cereal brand, presenting “a formidable challenge” to detection.
Inspectors from the Passenger Operations Department at Terminal 1 discovered unusual dark substances within the cereal bags, raising suspicion of the presence of prohibited materials.
The passenger responsible for the smuggling attempt, an Asian traveler, was apprehended along with the seized narcotics.
Both were subsequently handed over to the General Directorate of Anti-Narcotics at Dubai Police for further legal action.
Dubai Customs’ efforts to counter drug smuggling
Ibrahim Kamali, the Director of the Passengers Operations Department, stressed on the department’s commitment to equipping customs centres with cutting-edge inspection systems, state-of-the-art technology, and advanced training programs.
These measures enable customs inspectors to effectively detect drugs and other prohibited substances.
Kamali said: “Our inspectors combine advanced capabilities in drug detection, utilising sophisticated inspection devices at Dubai’s border crossings, along with their exceptional expertise in interpreting individuals’ body language to identify drug trafficking attempts.”
Khaled Ahmed, Senior Manager of the Passenger Operations Department at Terminal 1, also highlighted the “cunning attempts” made by smugglers to outsmart customs inspectors.
Tactics used include “body packing,” hiding illegal substances within cosmetic products, blending them with clothing items, camouflaging them amidst popular breakfast cereals, spice packets, and even concealing them within fruits.
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