Dubai: Customs officials have seized opium in transit from an Asian country to Europe, Gulf News has learnt.
Inspectors of Dubai Customs at Dubai Cargo Village detected around 4.2 kilograms of narcotic opium, which were hidden in a highly professional manner inside five small handbags shipped in a postal parcel.
The package was in transit from an Asian country to a western country via Dubai. The anti-smuggling operation was named “Flying Opium Bags” in reference to the package being shipped via air cargo from one country to another.
Saeed Ahmad Al Tayer, the Director of Air Customs Centres Management at Dubai Customs, disclosed the seizure details.
The parcel included personal belongings, namely small handbags, according to the description set out in the customs declaration.
During the routine clearance procedures of the shipment in transit, the inspectors found the parcel contents suspicious and examined them utilising an X-ray device. The X-ray revealed an image indicating that the five handbags were stuffed with drugs.
The Customs Dogs Unit along with the Mobile Laboratory at Dubai Customs were called in to test a sample of the suspicious substance in the bags. The results of the test were reported to be positive and confirmed the inspectors’ suspicions that the narcotics were opium. The opium weighed approximately 4.2 kilogrammes.
The shipment has now been forwarded to General Department of Anti-Narcotics at Dubai Police General Headquarters for further legal action. Al Tayer said that Dubai Customs would continue fighting the smuggling of drugs and all internationally prohibited substances. This is in accordance with Dubai Customs’ strategic vision to support legitimate trade worldwide and protect both local and international community members from the illicit substance abuse that impacts personal health and the economy.
Al Tayer highlighted the inspectors’ sharp perception of potential security risks, and their dedication to supporting Dubai and the UAE’s international standing.
