Abu Dhabi Customs inspectors have foiled an attempt to smuggle more than 1,500 narcotic pills into the country at the Al Ghuwaifat border post.
Inspectors working the morning shift found the pills hidden in a fire extinguisher in a car which was being driven to the UAE after becoming suspicious of the driver.
After scanning the car with detection devices, inspectors discovered 1,570 pills in the fire extinguisher. They also found five more pills hidden inside a metal box in the driver’s pocket.
The pills were examined and found to narcotics that can only be taken with a doctor’s prescription. The driver was arrested and the pills confiscated.
Mohammed Khadem Al Hameli, acting director general of the General Administration of Customs, praised the security at Al Ghuwaifat border post and their commitment to protecting the UAE from any potential risks caused by cross border trade.
Mr Al Hameli also highlighted the impact of the General Administration of Customs’ strategy, which ensures that experienced and qualified inspectors are assigned to develop the skills of new employees in reading body language and examining potential banned substances that could be smuggled into the UAE.
roueiti@thenational.ae