Diamonds on the soles of his feet: UAE bust

Inspectors from the Abu Dhabi International Airport Customs Centre have foiled an attempt to smuggle 129 diamonds amounting a total cost of $65,000 (Dh240,000), where an Arab passenger tried to hide the precious stones in his socks to avoid paying customs duties.

An official source at the Abu Dhabi General Directorate of Customs stated that during the evening shift, inspectors suspected a 25 year old Arab man who showed signs of stress and anxiety.

The customs centre officials intercepted him and found a bag of 129 diamonds hidden in one of his socks.  A file was later opened regarding this case and authorities were informed to take necessary legal action.

Inspectors also foiled another smuggling attempt in Abu Dhabi International Airport during their night shift. A 24-year-old Asian passenger attempted to smuggle 4,100 narcotic drugs inside medicines boxes and wrapped in carbon paper.

Abu Dhabi Customs inspectors also foiled a drug smuggling attempt through Khatm Al Shikla Customs Centre in Al Ain. A man heading to UAE through the Khatm Al Shikla border was carrying 392 narcotic pills which are usually only provided on medical prescription.

An official source from Abu Dhabi Customs in Khatm Al Shikla Customs Centre said an Arab man was driving a vehicle that seemed suspicious. The man was asked for his car registration and inspectors carried out a routine check of the vehicle during which rolled cigarettes were found which seemed to contain narcotic materials.

After a thorough search of the vehicle, inspectors found seven pharmaceutical containers which were filled with 56 capsules each, comprising a total 392 narcotic pills which are considered to be banned drugs and could only be provided on a doctor’s prescription, since using them for a long time can lead to addiction and it would be difficult to quit those drugs at a later stage.

A file was then opened regarding this case and authorities were informed to take the necessary legal action.

Saeed Ahmad Al Muhairi, Director-General of the General Directorate of Customs, praised the role and responsibility of customs officers in keeping the UAE stable and its citizens safe.

Al Muhairi also praised the senior management of the Department of Finance headed by Chairman Hamad Al Hurr Al Suwaidi for their commitment to improving the efficiency of customs employees and adopting the latest technologies in customs searches.
 

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