73kg crystal meth hidden in auto parts shipment seized in Dubai raid

Dubai - Customs official said they built a very advanced system to curb illegal attempts.

The Dubai Customs has foiled an attempt to smuggle 73kg of crystal meth, which was hidden in a shipment of auto spare parts.
Yousef Al Hashimi, director of Jebel Ali Customs Centres Management, said the drugs were found to have come from a neighbouring country.
"The drugs were carefully hidden in spare parts of vehicles, but the inspectors' vigilance and experience helped detect the illegal shipment."
Al Hashimi said they built a very advanced system to curb illegal attempts. "We keep developing our competencies in the field in order to protect everyone from the hazards of illegitimate goods."

One of the technologies used by Dubai Customs is the Smart Risk Engine. Developed in-house using the latest AI applications, it recognises upcoming risky shipments and creates a profile for different expected risks, he explained.
"The risk engine classified the recent spare parts shipment as risky," he added.
"We work together with the Intelligence Department and, based on the reports released by their risk engine, we move to thwart any smuggling attempt."
Around 97 per cent of shipments are classified by the risk engine as non-hazardous and approved in less than two minutes.
The customs team also has a Smart Scanning System that can scan 150 containers per hour without any human intervention, Al Hashimi said.
"We have six scanning systems in Jebel Ali that can easily check 900 containers per hour."
Shuaib Al Suwaidi, director of Customs Intelligence Department, said they have bolstered the security across all entry points in the emirate, using the most advanced systems.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai