Traveller's bid to smuggle cocaine inside stomach foiled held at Zayed International Airport

The General Directorate of Ports at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), in cooperation with the National Anti-Narcotics Authority (NANA), thwarted an attempt to smuggle cocaine inside the intestines of a traveller while entering the country via Zayed International Airport.

Customs inspection teams at Zayed International Airport suspected an African traveller upon his arrival in the country. Accordingly, he was subjected to advanced inspection procedures and transferred to the hospital to confirm his condition.

Tests proved there were strange objects inside his intestines, and 100 capsules containing narcotic cocaine, with a total weight of 1,418 grams, were extracted.

Legal measures were immediately taken, and the suspect and the seized items were referred to the competent authorities.

The ICP affirmed that this qualitative operation reflects the high efficiency of customs inspection officers, and their field experience and advanced capabilities in analysing behaviours and detecting new smuggling methods.

NANA also praised the level of integration between work teams and analysis and targeting systems, which enhances the ability to efficiently and professionally confront attempts to smuggle narcotic substances.