(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Abu Dhabi''s vigilant customs officials have foiled a total of 4,391 attempts to smuggle illegal substances into the country, in the first quarter of 2016.
The seized substances included drugs, prescription drugs, tobacco, and contraband. Mazyad Customs Centre recorded the largest number of confiscations - with 1,008 illegal substances captured - followed by Al Ain Central checkpost (771 substances), Khatam Al Shakla Customs Centre (707), and Abu Dhabi Central Post Customs Centre (665). The Abu Dhabi customs check posts recorded a total of 175 smuggling attempts, of illegal drugs that amounted to 8,122.947 grams and 2,134,022.25 narcotic pills. Most of these attempts were recorded in Abu Dhabi International Airport Customs Centre, with 125 seized substances, followed by Al Ghuwaifat Customs Centre (11 substances), Khatam Al Shakla Customs Centre (9), and Abu Dhabi Central Post Customs Centre (8). Travelling smugglers
Among the many culprits were a 26-year-old Asian passenger caught with 1.634 kg poppy seeds hidden in a candy box in his luggage. Another Asian traveller had 1.05kg of prohibited substances wrapped in plastic, around his legs. In one instance, the Ghuwaifat Customs Centre''s inspectors, suspicious of a 27-year-old traveller from another Arab country, inspected his vehicle and found 569 captagon pills hidden in secret compartments. Abu Dhabi Customs also seized 170 prescription-only drugs, expired drugs, and quantities exceeding authorised quantities, besides foiling 20 money smuggling attempts across various centres. Mohammed Khadem Al Hameli, Acting Director, General of General Administration of Customs, Abu Dhabi, said, "The General Administration of Customs, Abu Dhabi, continues to develop inspection procedures and adopt the best electronic and smart sevices in customs. The Administration adopts the latest technologies, electronic and smart services, and offers the necessary training programmes to enhance inspectors skills in protecting and serving the country."
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