Dubai Customs scupper smuggling of over 250kg drugs

A team from the Customs Intelligence Department and Jebel Ali Customs Centre thwarted an attempt to smuggle 251.2kg of crystal meth and 6.4kg of heroin, with an estimated market value of Dhs25 million. The illegal drugs were concealed inside used vehicle spare parts, which prompted Dubai Customs to nickname the operation “Gear Box”. Although the drugs were hidden carefully but the inspectors’ alertness, vigilance and experience helped them uncover the illegal shipment.

The smugglers thought they could trick inspection officers of Dubai Customs and evade the smart and sophisticated detection systems and procedures.

The Smart Risk Engine, developed in-house by Dubai Customs using the latest AI applications, recognises the upcoming risky shipments and creates a profile for different expected risks. The risk engine classified the spare parts shipment as risky.

The smugglers thought they could trick inspection officers of Dubai Customs.

To make it more difficult to uncover the drugs, the shipment owner added different types and sizes of spare parts and hid the drugs inside these spare parts, but this wasn’t a challenge for the vigilant inspectors who, with the help of the K9 Unit dogs, managed to uncover the drugs.

“We work together to thwart any smuggling attempts in order to protect our society from the hazards of drugs,” Yousef Al Hashimi, Director of Jebel Ali Customs Centres Management, said. “We have built a very advanced system to curb these illegal attempts, and this seizure reveals the level of professionalism and skills our staff have."

Shuaib Al Suwaidi, Director of Customs Intelligence Department commented: “We enhanced the security of our entry points with the most advanced systems to protect our society from any threats of these illegal items, and, at the same time, support legitimate trade as part of our vision in Dubai Customs."