DUBAI // Customs officers have seized 3.6 kilograms of opium stuffed in 40 handbags at Dubai International Airport.
The contraband was found when officers at Dubai Cargo Village became suspicious of a shipment.
They searched it and found a black substance they said was skilfully concealed in the lining of the bags.
Hamid Rasheed, director of the Air Customs Centres Management in Dubai, said the substance was found to be opium.
It is thought the shipment came from Asia and was in transit to a European airport.
Customs inspectors are regularly enrolled in anti-drugs courses that teach them to identify drugs, Mr Rasheed said.
He said Customs was committed to thwarting all attempts to smuggle drugs into or through the country.
“This comes in an effort to support global legitimate trade and in view of the risks these materials pose to human health, economy and community, whether they are meant for local markets or transiting to another country via Dubai,” Mr Rasheed said.
Customs has had significant success over the past six months.
In October last year, police in Abu Dhabi and Dubai seized 2.2kg of crystal methamphetamine and 8.5kg of cocaine.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
