Dubai: Dubai Customs said a mini helicopter, which was part of a shipment, is used for entertainment purpose and has nothing to do with criminal act.
Ahmad Mahboub Musbeh, Chief Executive of the Customers Management Sector at Dubai Customs, said the mini helicopter is usually used by aviation fans for short distance flights at aviation clubs in many countries where they fly in designated areas far away from airports and prohibited areas.
“It only accommodates two persons, and the helicopter, which was discovered by customs inspectors at Jebel Ali Inspection centre, would not cause any harm or damage...” Musbeh said.
He denied rumors claiming that the helicopter could be used by terrorists or criminals as an exaggeration, "simply because these helicopters cannot fly high and long distances.
Musbeh said that this kind of helicopters are filled with limited fuel and can only fly short distances.
He said Dubai Customs has a good record in aborting smuggling operations of prohibited substances and fake documents.
The container "in which the helicopter was found was not part of any smuggling operations as media reports said".
