The Dubai Customs seized thousands of illegal items as part of the 3,094 seizures over the first nine months of the year.

The items seized at all the land, sea and air customs centres, included narcotics, non-incendiary weapons, firearms and accessories and counterfeit and banned products, according to a senior official.

Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, said fake and prohibited medicines, pornographic materials and witchcraft items were also detected. “Up to 11 seizures were reported on a daily basis.”

However, other interceptions included attempts of customs duty evasion and undeclared goods, he added. “Air customs centres contributed the highest share of overall seizures, followed by land and sea cases, and then the post clearance audit.”

The big number of seizures reflects the critical role of the Dubai Customs in curbing smuggling and global illicit trade, Musabih pointed out. “These achievements reinforce the UAE’s stature worldwide as a safe, thriving place to live and do business.”

Musabih reaffirmed that the Dubai Customs works in synergy with all government partners and international organisations to ensure the safety, security and stability of Dubai and the UAE and support national and local economies by assuring a safe environment for investment and business growth.