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1118 seizures made in 2020 at different entry points in Dubai
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Punishment for possession of drugs range from 4 years in prison to death
Dubai Customs announced on Saturday, June 26, that it made 398 seizures during the first quarter of 2021, said local reports.
The announcement came as the emirate joined the world in marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Saturday.
Dubai Customs did not give any specifics on the total quantity or market value of all the narcotics seized during this time.
However, Dubai Customs’ Customs Inspection Division Executive Director Abdullah Busnad was quoted by the reports as saying that in one recent instance, the street value of a consignment of drugs seized was AED47.5 million (nearly $13 million).
He also said the consignment contained 30.15 kg of crystal methamphetamine and 46.16 kg of cannabis.
The reports also said the Sea Customs Centres Management made six seizures, the Inland Customs Centres Management made 35 seizures, and the Passenger Operations Department made 131 seizures, and the Air Cargo Centres Management made 226 seizures.
In 2020, the government department reportedly made 1,118 seizures through different entry points in Dubai.
The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy on drugs, with punishments ranging from a four-year prison sentence for possession of even small amounts of narcotics, to the death penalty.
The country is, however, seen as a gateway to the rest of the world by smugglers operating out of South-West Asian drug-producing countries.