Some of the contraband.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Port Khalid Customs Centre of the Sharjah Ports, Customs, and Free Zones Authority has announced it thwarted five attempts to smuggle 142.73kg of drugs into the country during December. Customs officers and inspectors at Khalid Port have successfully foiled attempts to bring into the country 500,300 Captagon tablets, 78 rolls, and two boxes of hashish, which were hidden inside truck refrigerators.

Salem Abdullah Al Zomor, Director of Khalid Port Customs Centre, stressed that Sharjah Customs will make every possible effort to scupper all smuggling attempts through the emirate’s ports in order to protect the country, enhance social stability and safety, support sustainable development, and promote the UAE's position among the safest countries in the world.

Al Zomor praised customs inspectors for their vigilance and advanced skills, which, along with their access to modern techniques and equipment, allowed them to successfully prevent smuggling attempts. He stressed that Sharjah Customs has a sophisticated system in place to prevent smuggling attempts of all kinds through all customs ports in the Emirate. This system uses the latest international practices to effectively detect and deter smuggling.