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Woman tries to smuggle 5.6kg of cocaine in secret pocket of bag
Dubai Customs’ inspection staff at Dubai International Airport seized 5.6 kilograms of cocaine narcotics being carried by an inbound female traveller arriving from a Latin American country.
At the terminal’s checkpoint, the customs officers with their high security vigilance grow suspicious of the passenger.
They flagged her luggage for a routine X-ray scanning which spotted an abnormal density at the bottom of the woman’s suitcase.
The woman was stopped by the inspection officers and asked to provide her passport for identity verification.
Asked if she had anything to declare, her answer was ‘no’. However upon searching the bag, inspectors discovered a secret pocket inside the inner lining. It was loaded with black plastic sacks wrapped in transparent adhesive. They contained white powder, which after examination turned out to be cocaine, weighing 3.2 kilograms.
Careful inspection of the bag’s contents went on to find another 2,473 grams cocaine concealed in bottles of body-care products, including shampoo and moisturizing body creams.
Ibrahim Kamali, director of passenger operations department, said: “The UAE is a global model to follow in curbing the trafficking of illicit drugs and safeguarding society from their dangers.
Kamali said the authority is entirely focused on increasing its capacity to detect and impound all harmful substances like narcotics before reaching the community.
“Dubai Customs plays a vital role in the country’s efforts to fight narcotics trafficking through its advanced infrastructure and highly trained inspection officers.
Despite the creative tricks some passengers use to hide prohibited materials, our highly-trained inspectors and advanced systems can effectively thwart smuggling attempts,” he said.
Kamali added that there are many programmes, systems, technologies and plans in place to effectively combat and foil any drug smuggling bids. “These include the integrated smart inspection system, among other advanced systems, that help in deterring drugs and other prohibited materials.”
UAE motorists won’t have long to wait to find out whether fuel prices will increase in August, with the Fuel Price Committee set to announce the new rates on Thursday, July 31.
The revised petrol and diesel prices will take effect from August 1.
Will fuel prices go up?
After a welcome price cut in July, the outlook for August is less certain.
Global oil prices initially fell below $70 a barrel earlier this month, raising hopes of another reduction. However, prices have since rebounded sharply, clouding the picture for motorists.
Brent crude briefly climbed above $100 a barrel, while US benchmark WTI rose to nearly us$92. Abu Dhabi’s Murban crude also surged past us$105, reflecting renewed strength in global energy markets.
Because UAE fuel prices are based on average international oil prices over the month, the late-July rally could limit or even reverse last month’s cuts.
Current UAE fuel prices
Motorists are currently paying:
- Super 98: Dh3.40 per litre
- Special 95: Dh3.29 per litre
- E-Plus 91: Dh3.21 per litre
- Diesel: Dh3.60 per litre
These rates were introduced in July after global oil prices eased earlier in the summer.
How UAE fuel prices are set
The UAE reviews petrol and diesel prices every month based on average global crude oil and refined fuel prices.
The August rates will be announced on July 31 through official government channels and will come into effect the following day.
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