Dubai Customs and New Zealand join forces to intercept $70 million methamphetamine shipment

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Collaborative efforts between Dubai Customs and its New Zealand counterpart have yielded a significant outcome, preventing the entry of 200 kilogrammes of methamphetamine into New Zealand's territory. This achievement was the result of effective coordination between New Zealand's customs authorities and Dubai Customs, who acted upon intelligence to seize a shipment originating from an Asian country en route to New Zealand's Auckland port. Initially declared as wheat harvesting machines, the shipment was discovered to contain the illicit substance, valued at approximately 70 million dollars.

Dubai Customs plays a central role in local, regional, and global endeavors to combat drug trafficking, mitigating its proliferation and addressing transnational crimes that pose substantial threats to both individuals and communities. Dubai Customs aspires to lead in global secure customs operations through a comprehensive framework of measures, advanced technologies, and supportive systems, in conjunction with a skilled and qualified workforce.

The evolving tactics and tools employed by smugglers continually present one of the foremost security challenges faced by law enforcement agencies worldwide. This underscores the imperative need for enhanced collaboration and the active fostering of partnerships between customs administrations and relevant security organizations to counteract cross-border drug trafficking, manage its associated risks, prevent misuse, and combat unlawful trade.

Dubai Customs' Intelligence Department is actively working to strengthen cooperation with consulates and diplomatic liaison officers to achieve their objectives, including uncovering smuggling activities and curbing illicit trade operations. This collaborative effort has resulted in the interception of numerous illicit shipments crossing borders and destined for various countries worldwide.

Leveraging shared experiences has a positive impact on customs inspectors' awareness regarding global risks, threats, manipulation techniques, and illicit trade operations. The customs sector plays a vital role as the first line of defense in protecting communities and contributes significantly to supporting the economic sector by adopting best practices and providing innovative services that facilitate trade and the movement of travellers.