Dubai Customs and Police thwart an attempt to smuggle about 279,000 narcotic tablets"Pregabalin"

DUBAI, 2nd July / WAM / Dubai Customs, in coordination with the General Department of Narcotics Control in Dubai Police, foiled an attempt to smuggle and promote 278,850 tablets of “Pregabalin,” a narcotic substance, weighing approximately 200 kilograms, in a joint security operation that reflects the level of integration and coordination between the security agencies in the emirate, and enhances efforts to protect society and the security of border crossings.

The operation came after the advanced analysis programs for shipment data at Dubai Customs, supported by the smart risk engine, advanced targeting techniques, and customs intelligence capabilities, detected an incoming shipment from an Asian country that raised suspicious indicators. So, Siaj customs teams began inspection procedures that resulted in the seizure of 150,600 Pregabalin tablets.

In direct coordination with the General Department of Narcotics Control in Dubai Police, the security authorities completed follow-up and investigation operations, which resulted in the arrest of a gang formation consisting of four people inside the country, and the discovery in their possession of an additional 128,250 tablets of the same substance, bringing the total seized to 278,850 tablets with an estimated weight of about 200 kilograms.

Brigadier General Khalid bin Muwaiza, Director of the General Department of Narcotics Control at Dubai Police, confirmed that the success achieved is the result of continuous coordination and full integration with Dubai Customs, which enabled the completion of the security operation following the customs seizure, tracking down members of the gang formation, arresting them, and seizing the additional quantity of narcotic pills.

He said that the exchange of information and the speed of coordination between the security agencies contribute to directing pre-emptive strikes on smuggling and drug trafficking networks, and enhance the ability of the security services to protect society from the dangers of drugs, leading to dismantling criminal networks and preventing them from achieving their goals. He stressed that the General Directorate of Narcotics Control will continue to develop its intelligence and investigative capabilities in cooperation with its strategic partners, in a way that enhances societal security and maintains Dubai’s position as one of the safest cities in the world.

For his part, Yasser Al Musalmi, chief consultant for customs affairs at Dubai Customs, said that the continued successes in thwarting drug smuggling attempts confirm the high readiness that Dubai Customs enjoys in protecting the ports, as the first line of defense for community security, through qualified national cadres, smart technologies, and proactive work mechanisms based on risk analysis and precise targeting.

He added that the “Seaj” system launched and developed by Dubai Customs represents a qualitative leap in enhancing the department’s capabilities for smart targeting, by employing advanced technologies and linking security indicators, which supports the speed and accuracy of monitoring potentially dangerous shipments, and raises the efficiency of inspection and control operations in accordance with international best practices.

He stressed that confronting new smuggling methods requires continuous development of human and technical capabilities, which is what Dubai Customs is keen to do by investing in the latest examination and inspection techniques, qualifying customs inspectors, and enhancing cooperation and coordination with strategic partners, most notably the Dubai Police General Command. He pointed out that this integration begins with early targeting at ports and continues with intelligence and investigative efforts, in a way that enhances the protection of society and preserves Dubai’s position as a global model in security. borders, and supports the flow of legitimate trade in accordance with the highest standards of security and efficiency.

In turn, Rashid bin Harb Al Shamsi, Director of the Customs Intelligence Department at Dubai Customs, confirmed that this achievement reflects the continuous development in the customs work system, which relies on the latest artificial intelligence technologies, data analysis, and smart risk engines, in addition to advanced customs intelligence capabilities capable of early targeting of high-risk shipments, which increases the efficiency of control and enhances the security and safety of society.

He added that protecting society is not limited to inspection at ports, but rather begins with building proactive programs based on risk assessment and employing the latest technologies, which makes Dubai Customs at the forefront of the global authorities in protecting borders and facilitating legitimate trade at the same time.

The joint security operation confirmed the integration of roles between Dubai Customs, which undertakes the tasks of early targeting and port protection, and the General Department of Narcotics Control in Dubai Police, which completed field and investigative efforts to track down and arrest those involved, in a way that enhances community security and establishes Dubai’s leadership in border security and combating drug smuggling.

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