DUBAI, Dec 5: In a recent incident at Dubai International Airport, a vigilant team of Dubai Customs officers successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle marijuana by an Asian passenger. The passenger had ingeniously ground the narcotics and concealed them as "henna" within his bags. However, the astute customs inspectors detected the illicit cargo, preventing its entry into the country.

Upon discovery, the confiscated narcotics, along with the apprehended passenger, were promptly handed over to the General Directorate of Anti-Narcotics at Dubai Police for further investigation and legal proceedings.

The alertness of Dubai Customs inspectors was triggered during routine checks on a bag passing through inspection devices for a flight arriving from an Asian country. Images revealed unusual density within the bag, prompting immediate action from the Airport Passenger Operations Department. Both the bag and its owner underwent careful monitoring, leading to a manual search.

The passenger, displaying signs of confusion, was found to be carrying 8.9kg of marijuana cleverly disguised as "henna." Ibrahim Al-Kamali, Director of the Passenger Operations Department at Dubai Customs, underscored the pivotal role of the customs agency in deterring smuggling activities across various outlets. He emphasized the primary focus on preventing the trafficking of harmful substances, particularly drugs.

With the increasing number of passengers arriving in Dubai, Al-Kamali highlighted the need for heightened vigilance to safeguard the community from the smuggling of prohibited substances. Dubai Customs remains committed to maintaining a robust and proactive stance against illicit activities, contributing to the overall security and well-being of the region.