Drugs found stashed in stereo speakers and even a bag of nuts were among nearly 1,000 smuggling bids foiled by Dubai Customs in the first nine months of the year.
Customs officials prevented 922 separate efforts to bring illicit items into the UAE, with 355 of those cases involving narcotics and contraband goods, new figures have revealed.
In one instance, Dubai International Airport customs officials confiscated 25.5 kg of marijuana hidden inside loudspeakers in a passenger’s suitcase.
In another case, customs officials also found 6,720 Lyrica tablets hidden inside in bags of nuts.
“We facilitate trade and traffic of passengers without compromising on the security of borders and entry points, and with the growing number of passengers and air shipping in the last number of years we continue to have full control on all our checkpoints,” said Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, director of Dubai Customs.
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He said that the UAE has spent billions to strengthen its infrastructure against smugglers.
"There are challenges facing customs authorities in all countries that have key strategic locations. Dubai is not an exception,” he said.
Ibrahim Al Kamali, director of Passenger Operations at Dubai Customs, revealed the passenger operations department checked around 30.2 million suitcases between January and September 2018.
“Dubai International Airport deals with a large number of passengers annually. Around 74.5 million passengers used the airport in the first 10 months of 2018, which means 248,000 passengers a day,” he said.
“These passengers hail from different backgrounds, and they all deserve a good warm welcome.”
During the first nine months of 2018, three counterfeiting and 275 customs duties evasion cases were recorded.
"Thanks to our inspectors’ vigilance we are in full control of all checkpoints. Our inspection officers receive the best training on body language and identifying different types of drugs, as well as being able to distinguish fake brands from genuine ones," Al Kamali said.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
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Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
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Roma (Mexico)
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Match info:
Leicester City 1
Ghezzal (63')
Liverpool 2
Mane (10'), Firmino (45')
World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
