Inspectors from the General Authority of Customs (GAC) have foiled a number of attempts to smuggle illicit drugs into the country through Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Hamad Port.

The authority seized 14kg of hashish and 42.5kg of marijuana at HIA and 12 tonnes of chewing tobacco at Hamad Port, it said in a statement.

The hashish was found in two batches of 7kg each, hidden inside secret pockets in the smugglers' luggage. The marijuana, on the other hand, was seized through 10 separate operations at HIA after the Customs officers on duty suspected the conduct of the travellers in question and decided to conduct a thorough search of their luggage. The contraband was found hidden in their bags, wrapped in an almost identical way. 
All the operations were carried out successfully in co-operation with the relevant department at the Ministry of Interior and the arrested smugglers were referred to the authorities concerned for necessary legal procedures.



A part of the seizure


GAC chairman Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Jamal honoured eight employees from the HIA and Hamad Port Customs for their role in foiling the smuggling bids and their alertness while on duty.
Al-Jamal noted that the GAC provided its staff and inspectors with all possible support to do their job efficiently. This includes conducting advanced training courses and supplying them with the most advanced technology and devices in the field as they constitute the frontline of safeguarding the country against any harmful materials.
Meanwhile, both Ajab Mansur al-Qahtani, director of HIA Customs, and Abdulhadi al-Sahli, director of Sea Customs, thanked the inspectors concerned for their efforts and sincerity at work. They also thanked all the co-operating government departments that played a key role in foiling the smuggling attempts.

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