87 attempts to smuggle marijuana oil into Dubai foiled

Dubai - It's used in e-cigarettes and vape pens.

As many as 87 attempts to smuggle marijuana oil - used in e-cigarettes and vape pens - in the first three months of this year were thwarted by the Passenger Operations Department of Dubai Customs.
"These are as compared to only seven seizures over the same period in 2018," according to Ibrahim Al Kamali, director of Passenger Operations Department.  "The department made 36 seizures in all last year." The increase in seizures for this illegal substance is huge this year, he added.
"We need to work together with all departments concerned in the country to fight the smuggling of narcotics." Al Kamali said raising awareness about the perils and negative impact of drugs is very important, especially among young people.

"Dubai Customs takes all due measures to check the smuggling of marijuana oil through Dubai airports."
Staff inspection officers receive a very advanced training and always get their skills honed, he pointed out. "This enables them to detect these illegal substances efficiently, with the help of sophisticated scanning devices."

The department shall keep developing its smart electronic baggage inspection systems to protect the country against such hazardous substances, he underlined.
"The department has recently launched its in-house-built Smart Customs Baggage Inspection System. The system helps officers identify risks in suspected suitcases and shows whether it is safe to inspect them manually," he added.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai