DUBAI: Inspectors of the Abu Dhabi’s General Administration of Customs have made 7,224 customs seizures in the first half of 2016, compared to 6,435 over the same period last year.
Additionally, customs personnel foiled attempts to bring in 7,434 illegal substances into the UAE through various ports in Abu Dhabi during the first six months of the year, compared to 6,596 in the first half of 2015 – a 12.7 per cent increase.
The largest number of customs seizures – 1,801 illegal substances – were recorded at Meyzad Customs Centre, followed by the Al Ain Central Post Office Customs Centre with 1,367 and the Abu Dhabi Central Post Office Customs Centre with a total of 1,045.
“Abu Dhabi Customs continuously seeks to cooperate with different entities to enhance the customs work on the level of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi,” said Mohammed Khadem Al Hameli, Acting Director General of the General Administration of Customs- Abu Dhabi.
“The Administration also works on further developing inspection procedures by adopting the latest tech advancements, and providing the necessary training to raise the performance of customs inspectors in their role to protect the homeland and citizens from any risks of illegal trade.”
The report also noted that customs centres in Abu Dhabi recorded 299 smuggling attempts of illegal drugs, which amounted 12,974 grams and 2,145,803.5 narcotic pills and substances of which 5,027.5 were identified as tramadol and 2,127,487 as captagon. Of these, 231 attempts took place at the Abu Dhabi International Airport Customs Centre followed by Al Ghuwaifat Customs Centre with 14 attempts and 10 attempts for each of Khatm Al Shikla Customs Centre and Abu Dhabi Central Post Office Custom Centre.
Additonally, 28 illegal immigrants were detained in 25 separate incidents. Customs inspectors also foiled 32 money smuggling attempts, 135 cases of commercial fraud, five counterfeiting attempts, 76 alcohol smuggling attempts, 728 tobacco smuggling attempts, and 1,088 attempts to smuggle prescription medications.
