Dubai: Dubai Customs inspectors at the Free Zone of Dubai International Airport foiled a drug cargo arriving from an Asian country that contains 500,000 tablets weighing 441kg (shown right), of the prohibited drug Tramadol, WAM reported on Wednesday.
Omar Al Mehairi, Senior Manager of the Air Cargo Operations Department, said the cargo was seized in the Flower Inspection Section at the Free Zone Inspection Centre at Dubai International Airport. A pack which contained medicines for human consumption aroused suspicion during inspection and was transferred to the Ministry of Health, the official specialised body to check the medicine.
It was confirmed that the medicine cannot be taken for non-medical purposes as it is listed under controlled medicine Class A. Besides, the goods had no import permission and their owner hadn't fulfilled the requirements to finalise the clearance of this cargo.
Al Mehairi clarified that Tramadol is a misused drug by some people as it is normally prescribed as a painkiller for moderate and severe pain; however, when it is used in large doses it has the same effect as narcotics.
