DUBAI// An attempt to smuggle 2.7 kilograms of marijuana in a posted parcel has been foiled by Customs inspectors.
The package was in transit between two Asian countries when seized by officials at Cargo Village.
"When the parcel was passing through the X-ray, the inspector became suspicious as the X-ray reflected abnormal density in this particular parcel," said Saeed Ahmed Al Tayer, director of Dubai Customs' department of air customs centres.
"The inspector's suspicions required a manual search of the parcel and its contents."
Sniffer dogs detected a plastic sack filled with herbal seeds inside the parcel.
"An examination by Dubai Customs' mobile laboratory confirmed the seeds are indeed marijuana," Mr Al Tayer said.
"Dubai Customs inspectors are always on the alert for such tricks and deceptive means."
Dubai is working to streamline the movement of goods under directives from the World Trade Organisation and is committed to maintaining stringent inspection and monitoring procedures, Mr Al Tayer said.
"Thereby guaranteeing the legitimacy of trade and the protection of the community from the risks inherent to the smuggling of these internationally prohibited substances, which negatively affect the health of drug addicts, the community and the economy," he said.
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Tottenham 1
Jan Vertonghen 13'
Norwich 1
Josip Drmic 78'
2-3 on penalties
More from Con Coughlin
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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