(MENAFN-Khaleej Times) the contraband worth over dh50000 was skillfully stuffed in the lining of handbags sent to a european airport
The dubai customs recently foiled an attempt to smuggle 3.6kg of opium worth over dh50000 in the black market.
A senior official said the contraband was heading from an asian country to a european airport and was seized at the dubai cargo village.
Hamid mohammed rasheed director of air customs centres management said the consignment contained 40 handbags weighing 21kg as stated in the customs declaration.
The inspectors suspected the contents of the cargo during routine clearance procedures and ordered a manual search. “the officers found a black substance that looked like a narcotic skillfully stuffed in the lining of the bags” he said. “a close examination of the substance showed it’s opium.”
The k9 dog squad was brought in and it reacted positively. the customs mobile laboratory was also called in to take a sample of the seized items and it also reported that the substance was opium.
“the opium seized and investigation report were referred to the anti-narcotic department of the dubai police for further legal action.”
Rasheed said the dubai customs spares no effort in supporting legitimate international trade and controlling transportation of internationally prohibited and restricted goods which deemed harmful to people’s health — whether they are heading for the local markets or overseas via dubai.
“medical reports show that opium is dried latex obtained from the opium poppy that contains up to 12 per cent morphine an alkaloid which is frequently processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade.”
In august last year the dubai customs thwarted a bid to smuggle 4.2kg of opium worth over dh50000 at the dubai cargo village.
These are apart from over 12kg of opium worth dh300000 seized at the dubai cargo village in january 2013. in february march and october 2012 the customs thwarted three attempts to smuggle 22kg of opium worth over dh550000 in handbag shipments also at the dubai cargo village.
Ahmedshaaban?khaleejtimes.com
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