Dubai Customs intercepts 1.65kg of heroin

Dubai Customs inspectors at Dubai International Airport (DIA) have foiled 3 separate bids to smuggle 165 capsules filled with a total of 1.65kg heroin. The smugglers, who were all of Asian nationalities, arrived at DIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3 from an Asian country. The contraband capsules were concealed in their guts. Ali Al Mugahwi, Director of Airport Operations Department at Dubai Customs, said that DC is committed to tightening its control over land, sea and air border ports of the emirate, as it has a team of qualified U.A.E. national inspectors who play a key role in safeguarding the community from illicit drugs and banned stuffs, particularly during festive seasons in which Dubai receives masses of visitors all year. Al Mugahwi added, "Inspectors' expertise, knowledge of body language and high sense of security kept the smugglers from getting their way. Signs of anxiety and agitation usually appear on the faces of smugglers when inspectors manually search or scan their luggage. If the search shows the baggage doesn't contain any prohibited or restricted items, the passenger is sent to a hi-tech screening machine that reveals any items that might be hidden in their intestines." According to him, the scanning machine detected some strange objects in the suspects' guts. Interrogated by the Passengers Investigation Office at the Airport Operations Department, one of the smugglers confessed that he had received the narcotic from someone at the departure airport. He swallowed 80 capsules, containing 593g of pure heroin, which he was supposed to pass out after arrival and hand over to another party in exchange for a sum of money. The other two smugglers denied having any narcotics on them. Yet as the screening turned out, one of them was carrying 59 capsules packed with 802g of heroin in his bowels; and the other had 26 capsules, containing 250g of pure heroin. Following the recovery and seizure of the contraband narcotics, the case was referred to the General Department of Anti-Narcotics at Dubai Police to take legal action against the suspects. Al Mugahwi noted that the major role of DC's Airport Operations Department is twofold: Firstly, to facilitate the procedures for clearing the huge numbers of passengers coming through Dubai airports; and secondly, to protect the society from the perils of smuggling and contraband.