'To this effect the department held a high-level meeting and also conducted hands-on training for its sleuths on how to effectively prevent this crime' an ROP official said.

The workshop was conducted by the general administration department of the customs unit. The training also dealt with ways to prevent infiltration bids through Oman's borders. 'The training programme was led by experts and specialists in their respective fields' the official said. There have been many cases wherein infiltrators have tried crossing into Oman hiding inside goods transport vehicles from countries bordering the sultanate. The official noted that criminals from Oman also try to escape through land borders to avoid punishment.

The training also familiarised participants with the latest methods smugglers have begun to adopt. According to the ROP illegal alcohol and banned tobacco products are the most smuggled goods. The training also included ways to identify a smuggler or an infiltrator inspection of passengers and goods being transported in vehicles. The trainees were given tips on coordinating with various international agencies and authorities of other GCC states.

Bid to smuggle livestock out of Oman foiled

A group from Oman trying to smuggle 200 goats into the UAE was arrested at the UAE border recently and now faces legal action.

According to UAE's Ministry of Environment and Water the smugglers were transporting the animals without documentation or quarantine checks and were intercepted at the Al Madam port border crossing. The herd was hidden in boxes.

The ministry said in a statement 'The animals did not have any certificates from the country of origin to prove that they are free from communicable diseases. Besides the goats were kept in miserable conditions cramped in a lorry which was not suitable for transportation of animals. It is a clear violation of the Federal Animal Welfare Law (16) which was issued in 2007.'

It further said that all exported animals and animal products must first be put in quarantine before they can be sold in the country to ensure they are free from illness and disease. Animals are allowed to enter UAE only through those borders that have quarantine zones.