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29 March 2024

Drugs seized in holiday cards in Dubai

Dubai Customs shows a bag of marijuana attached to a Christmas greeting card that was seized by the customs at the general post office in the Gulf emirate of Dubai along with other bags of marijuana and cocaine that were being smuggled into the country in the same way. (AFP)

Published
By AFP

Dubai customs authorities said Sunday that they seized marijuana and cocaine smuggled in Christmas cards bearing the message "This brings a special wish your way to brighten up your Christmas day."

"Dubai customs’ inspectors at [the] general post office foiled a bid to smuggle 1,751grams of marijuana and cocaine into the United Arab Emirates ... hidden cunningly inside parcels containing Christmas cards," the department said in a statement, adding that the cards were "coming from one Asian country and heading towards another Asian country via Dubai."

Dubai customs authorities occasionally announce drug seizures in the emirate, where narcotic use is strictly prohibited.

Drug trafficking carries the death penalty in the UAE, but the sentence is usually commuted to life in prison.