Dubai: Man who hid 7kg of drugs in cereal box, arrested at airport – News

With trained specialists equipped with high-tech screening tools, customs authorities are able to spot even the most unusual smuggling attempts – from hiding drugs in cosmetics to squeezing them in fruit

An Asian traveler was found with 7.06kg of marijuana at Dubai International Airport (DXB), it was reported on Tuesday. He was found stashing the illegal drug in a box of a popular brand of cereal.

The drugs were seized and legal action was taken against the smugglers, according to a statement from Dubai Customs cited by Arab daily Al Bayan.

The drug concealed inside the cereal box would have been difficult to spot, but the necessary steps were taken after authorities found “a strange dark substance” inside the box, the report said.

It added that Dubai Customs has been stepping up efforts to protect the community from drug smugglers.

Criminal gangs have now figured out new ways of getting drugs into the country – but UAE authorities are always two steps ahead of the gangs.

Khaled Ahmed, senior director of passenger operations at Dubai Airport’s Terminal 1, said some people hide the drugs in cosmetics; others mix them with clothes; and others try to squeeze them in bags of seasonal fruit and spices. However, customs authorities are equipped with high-tech screening equipment that can intercept suspicious packages and thwart attempts to smuggle drugs and other contraband.

Ibrahim Al Kamali, Director of Passenger Operations at Dubai Customs, said: “We have a clear vision and strategy… in terms of facilitating travel procedures and combating smuggling attempts… [Dubai Customs] Through intensive training courses…combined with advanced inspection equipment, the efficiency of customs inspectors is continuously improved. “