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Seasons greetings laced with drugs

“Customs inspectors have foiled a bid to smuggle 1,751 grams of marijuana and cocaine in parcels of Christmas cards at the General Post Office of Dubai Cargo Village,” said Omar Al Muhairi, Senior Manager of Air Cargo Operations at Dubai Customs.

Customs inspectors suspected that the Christmas cards came from an Asian country for local use in Dubai. “Small amounts of herbs were found hidden, in a very skilful way, inside the packets during a routine inspection process,” said Al Muhairi.

Further examinations conducted by the technical support department, special unit and support division confirmed that the herbs were narcotics.

According to Al Muhairi, smugglers always came up with new smuggling techniques and would make use of any occasion such as Christmas to carry out their crimes.

“However, Customs inspectors who are highly qualified, trained and equipped with the latest technologies, are vigilant and ready to bust any attempt,” he said.

The case was referred to the General Department of Combating Narcotics for legal action. It is worth mentioning that there were 39 attempts to smuggle narcotics inside greeting cards 
this year.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE