ABU DHABI: The Department of Finance – Abu Dhabi (DoF), represented by the General Administration of Customs – Abu Dhabi, has successfully foiled 6,435 attempts to smuggle illegal substances into the UAE through the various customs ports in Abu Dhabi during the first half of 2015.
A total of 6,596 illegal substances were identified including illegal immigrations, and the smuggling of drugs, diesel, prescription drugs, tobacco and other contrabands.
Mezyad Customs Centre recorded the largest number of seizures, which amounted to 1,447 illegal substances; followed by Abu Dhabi Central Post Customs Centre with 1,425, Al Ain Central Post Customs Centre with 914, Al Ain International Airport Customs Centre with a total of 839, and Madheef Customs Centre with 658.
The General Administration of Customs – Abu Dhabi continuously seeks to develop new work processes to maintain a healthy customs environment. The administration adopts the latest high level procedures and systems that help support foreign trade, increase government revenues through collecting fees imposed on the movement of certain goods.
The General Administration of Customs – Abu Dhabi also seeks to consolidate its pivotal role in protecting the community from any risks resulting from foreign trade and the exchange of goods across borders.
This is through thorough investigation and monitoring of all attempts to smuggle prohibited substances, attempts to evade payments of customs duties, and attempts to evade registration procedures of restricted goods.
Commenting on these achievements, Hamad Al Hurr Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Department of Finance – Abu Dhabi, expressed his sincere appreciation to the UAE’s wise leadership and directions that constitutes a basis for the department’s work to support the economic growth in Abu Dhabi, promote foreign trade and maintain homeland security. Al Suwaidi said: “The Department of Finance – Abu Dhabi has adopted the best specialised programmes and systems in the field of customs.
“The department coordinates with various government entities to maintain the security of our homeland by halting cross-border illegal trade risks that negatively affect the community and the local economy.”
He concluded: “The General Administration of Customs – Abu Dhabi continuously works to improve its inspectors’ skills through the adoption of the latest inspection devices and systems available to combat smuggling attempts and commercial fraud.”
