Over 4,000 smuggling attempts foiled in Dubai

Dubai - Contrabands confiscated at marine, land and air crossing borders of Dubai included narcotics, weapons, drugs and tax evasion bids

The Dubai Customs, armed with a set of latest technological devices, and a group of competent staff, has managed to make 4,060 seizures over the period from January to November 2016.
Contrabands confiscated at marine, land and air crossing borders of Dubai included narcotics, weapons, drugs, tax evasion bids, counterfeit customs declarations and documents, according to DP World Group Chairman and CEO and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
"The UAE is one of the best countries worldwide and stands first regionally and in the Arab world in terms of intellectual property protection and anti-piracy fight," he said. "The Dubai Customs has foiled 4,060 bids to bring contrabands into the emirate in 11 months."
Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, said the UAE works hand in hand with the international community to combat the practice of counterfeiting and piracy, and assuring intellectual property for all trademarks.
"This is being done by enhancing customs processes and techniques that keep pace with this fast-moving world, suppress illicit trade while ensuring efficient clearance of goods or passengers without any unnecessary delays."
The Dubai Customs has developed its world-leading, state-of-the-art risk management system called Risk Engine, which speeds up the risk assessment and inspection process, he elaborated.
"We are also the first customs administration in the world to utilise smart glasses in inspection operations, in a bid to further simplify and accelerate field inspection of cargo consignments in different customs checkpoints."
The world's first-of-its-kind Bags Smart Customs Inspection System, known as Smart Table, has been deployed in Dubai's airports to efficiently streamline the clearing of passengers and luggage, Musabih stated.
"The Dubai Customs is equally committed to training its staff through specialised IPR workshops, and engaging all community members in fighting counterfeiting and piracy."
The oldest department in Dubai had, meanwhile, processed eight million transactions, covering 19 major services, across the marine, land and air customs centres over the same period.
The transactions processed included 11,558 customs declarations that were done via mail services to effectively and easily maintain the status of Dubai Customs as a leading department on Smart Dubai Office's Happiness Meter.
Humaid Al Rashid, Director - Air Customs Centre Management said all customs centers work support all legitimate trade. "Protecting the society and enhancing economic development through facilitation and innovation is a clear message realized by all Dubai Customs departments."
Omar Hamad Al Merri, senior manager, Um Ramool Post Office, explained that doing transactions effectively and quickly is the norm at the Dubai Customs.
He added that all inspection takes place at the Um Ramool post office before distributing parcels to Karama and Abu Hail post offices "where they are sorted and inspected very carefully."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com