RAK customs foil Dhs1.3 million smuggling attempt

Ras Al Khaimah - 10kg gold without due customs clearance were found inside the culprit's bag

The customs department in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) has foiled a bid for smuggling 10kg of gold through the Ras Al Dara crossing border point, 40km to the north of the emirate.
Dr Mohammed Al Mihrizi, Director General of the department, said the smuggler, Asian, tried to bring in the gold, which were evaluated against Dhs1,300,000, without due customs clearance.  
"The suspect, identified only as S.A., was referred to the concerned department for legal action," he said. "The vigilant customs inspectors noticed the worried body language of the smuggler, and referred him to manual search."
The machine scan shows that some items were hidden in his luggage, he added. "The hidden gold jewels, which were wrapped in plastic bags covered with yellow adhesive tape, were extracted from secret parts in the suspect's baggage."
Customs sources told Khaleej Times that a customs clearance is a must for big amounts of gold which are meant for business. "Otherwise, it shall be considered a smuggling case and a 10 percent fine shall be deducted from the total amount of the gold smuggled in or out."
All customs inspectors here go through intensive training courses on a regular basis to competently curb any smuggling attempt, Dr Mihrizi stated. "Ras Al Dara crossing point, close to the Omani borders, is one of the busiest in the emirate."
Therefore, more attention is given to it, as many gold and narcotics smugglers have been nabbed through this land border crossing, he pointed out. "It is our duty to protect the country against all criminals, smugglers, infiltrators, and gangsters."
Equal attention is given to all the imported and exported items passing through our land, sea and air border points, he confirmed. "Our staff inspectors are equipped with the latest scan machines necessary for their work."

- ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah