7,434 illegal items seized at Abu Dhabi ports in 6 months

Abu Dhabi - The report noted that customs centres in Abu Dhabi recorded 299 smuggling attempts of illegal drugs, which amounted 12.97kg of 2.12million narcotics of which 5,027 were identified as tramadol and 2.13 million as captagon.

 Customs personnel have foiled bids to smuggle 7,434 illegal substances into the country through various ports in Abu Dhabi during the first half of the year.
According to the General Administration of Customs, there was a 12.7 per cent increase in thwarting of smuggling bids in 2016, which was 6,596 in the first half of 2015.
Inspectors of the Abu Dhabi’s General Administration of Customs have also made 7,224 customs seizures in the first half of the year.
“Abu Dhabi Customs continuously seeks to cooperate with different entities to enhance the customs work,” said Mohammed Khadem Al Hameli, Acting Director General of the General Administration of Customs, Abu Dhabi.
The report noted that customs centres in Abu Dhabi recorded 299 smuggling attempts of illegal drugs, which amounted 12.97kg of 2.12million narcotics of which 5,027 were identified as tramadol and 2.13 million as captagon.
Additonally, 28 illegal immigrants were detained in 25 separate incidents. Inspectors also foiled 32 money smuggling bids, 135 cases of commercial fraud, five counterfeiting attempts, 76 alcohol smuggling attempts and 728 tobacco smuggling attempts.
Major seizures in the last six months
> A 29-year-old passenger caught in possession of 369 narcotic pills, 119 capsules of a restricted drug and 1.55g crystal meth.
> A 54-year-old Arab woman caught in possession of 3,200 narcotic pills hidden in her purse upon her arrival in the country.
> A 19-year old found to be in possession of 2,490 narcotic pills hidden in his bag while arriving on a flight from an Asian country.
> A 29-year old Westerner travelling from an Arab country caught in possession of 29.78g of narcotic substance hidden in his belongings. The traveller also had 54.97g of spices hidden between his clothes.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi