The General Authority of Customs (GAC), in co-operation with the security entity concerned has foiled an attempt to smuggle a substantial quantity of the illicit drug hashish at Al Ruwais Port.
The illicit drugs were found with a number of travellers coming from an Asian country on a motorised wooden boat through the sea. The issue started when the marine customs officers on duty suspected the passengers on deck of the boat. When the boat was fully searched, 13 pieces of hashish was found wrapped in plastic and hidden inside a secret storage area in the front.
When one of the boat crew was questioned about the substance, he claimed it was sea salt. But, laboratory checks proved it was hashish. The accused were arrested and handed over to the departments concerned along with the seized illicit drug.
Sea Customs Department director Abdulhadi al-Sahli praised the capabilities and skills of the customs inspectors. He also pointed out that Al Ruwais Port has lately seen a good number of foiled smuggling attempts after being approved as a port for importing goods into the country due to the blockade imposed since June 5 last year.
The GAC has recently upgraded its detection and control systems at various ports in the country and enhanced the skills and capabilities of its employees to deal with suspects through various sophisticated training courses.
