DUBAI // In a co-ordinated international effort across three countries, opium traffickers were arrested after their smuggling operation was foiled by Dubai Customs, which seized 9kg of the drug.
According to a senior Dubai Customs official, inspectors at the Cargo Village found 9kg of opium hidden in wooden children's toys being shipped from an Asian country.
"The cargo was heading to three Western countries via Dubai," said Omar Ahmed al Mehairi, Senior Manager of Dubai Customs air cargo operations.
Two shipments were sent by via air freight by companies based in an Asian country on their way to two Western countries, while the third shipment was sent using a different company based in the same Asian country heading to a third Western country.
He explained that the narcotics were hidden inside wooden toys in three parcels.
amustafa@thenational.ae