Dubai Customs seizes 56kg of drugs including cocaine and marijuana at Dubai airports

More inspectors posted at Dubai airports ahead of influx of people for Expo 2020

Dubai Customs are cracking down on drug traffickers. Officers said ensuring a safe Expo 2020 is paramount. Courtesy Dubai Customs

Dubai Customs seized 56 kilograms of drugs and 3,951 illegal pills at Dubai airports in the first three months of the year.

The drugs included 11.9kg of marijuana and 9.6kg of cocaine, officers said.

It came as figures showed Customs handled 7,417 inbound flights with 2 million passengers on-board and 4 million bags in the same period.

Officers made 294 seizures, of which the drugs were also a part.

Figures from last year were not made available.

Ibrahim Kamali, director of the passenger operations department at Dubai Customs, said the agency is ready for the influx of passengers expected for Expo 2020 this October and it had raised the number of officers at the airports to 822.

"We made different types of seizures during the first quarter, which reflects the inspectors’ vigilance, discipline and professionalism," said Mr Kamali.

"The department [is] supported by 77 screening systems – 58 systems for bigger baggage and 19 devices for handbags."

Earlier this month, Dubai Customs recycled counterfeit products worth an estimated Dh1 million ($272,000).

More than 134,000 items from 42 fake brands were seized, including designer bags, watches, gloves, glasses and car parts, authorities said. The UAE has stepped up inspection campaigns and is using blockchain technology to crack down on fraud and counterfeiting.

The country has also signed several international treaties for the protection of copyright, including the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property agreement.

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