RIYADH: Saudi Customs Department is the first line of defense for the country providing integrated customs services to meet development requirements in the Kingdom, and keep pace with the latest developments at local and international levels.
The department aims to accelerate the release of permissible goods and prevent the entry of prohibited and infringing materials such as counterfeit or expired items.
Yousef bin Ibrahim Al-Zakan, customs chief at King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam, said: “KFIA customs is provided with 40 dog squads that include handlers and sniffer dogs for the detection of drugs, explosives to inspect luggage of passengers coming from abroad in the arrival lounge as well as aircraft when required.”
Al-Zakan said that these squads also support the government and security authorities upon request in the search and rescue procedures in disasters.
“The dog squads, like other assistance means that include radiation detection devices and investigationand control units, have a significant role in supporting customs employees to control the smuggling of contraband and tighten customs and security control.”
Al-Zakan said: “It is difficult to mislead bloodhounds by smugglers due to their high level of training and strong sense of smell.”
The use of dog squads in the Saudi Customs Department began in 1982 after a customs team prepared a study on the possibility of their use in the Kingdom to detect smuggling attempts.
Saudi Customs established the bloodhounds’ training center along with a veterinary clinic, and these squads are currently covering 23 ports.
“Several training courses have been held, including those for the detection of drugs, explosives, bodies, search and rescue, and guarding,” he said.
