MUSCAT: ROP’s Customs Department is further tightening its grip against smuggling even as several incidents have come to light in the recent past.
“To this effect, the department held a high-level meeting and also conducted hands-on training for its sleuths on how to effectively prevent this crime,” an ROP official said.
The workshop was conducted by the general administration department of the customs unit. The training also dealt with ways to prevent infiltration bids through Oman’s borders. “The training programme was led by experts and specialists in their respective fields,” the official said. There have been many cases wherein infiltrators have tried crossing into Oman hiding inside goods transport vehicles from countries bordering the sultanate. The official noted that criminals from Oman also try to escape through land borders to avoid punishment.
The training also familiarised participants with the latest methods smugglers have begun to adopt. According to the ROP, illegal alcohol and banned tobacco products are the most smuggled goods. The training also included ways to identify a smuggler or an infiltrator, inspection of passengers and goods being transported in vehicles. The trainees were given tips on coordinating with various international agencies and authorities of other GCC states.
