Laboratory-on-wheels to detect illegal substances smuggled in the country

Dubai: The Dubai Customs will use a mobile laboratory to detect drugs, explosives, chemical substances and radioactive materials being smuggled into the country.

Ahmad Butti Ahmad, Director General of Dubai Customs, launched the laboratory last Thursday at the customs main building.

The mobile laboratory, the first of its kind in the UAE, is equipped with the latest devices and equipment for detecting different kinds of smuggled items including drugs, explosives, and hidden spaces used for storing illegal goods.

The equipment also includes a telescope for examining narrow places, remote and close detection device and external monitoring camera.

The laboratory is directly linked to Dubai Customs operations room where the computer system receives instant reports and results from the onboard laboratory computer.

The facility so far has been effectively used in detecting attempted drug smuggling at Dubai Cargo Village and the discovery of another attempt to smuggle a shipment of fireworks at Jebel Ali Port.