Picture for illustrative purposes only. ABU DHABI POLICE

A drug smuggling attempt at Zayed International Airport was thwarted when a passenger was caught with 89 capsules of cocaine hidden inside his intestines. The cocaine weighed a total of 1,198 grams and was valued at approximately Dh5 million. The recent operation was carried out by the General Directorate of Ports under the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICAPC). Customs inspectors became suspicious after the passenger, who arrived from a South American country, showed signs of unusual behavior. The passenger was subjected to advanced radiological scanning, which revealed the presence of foreign objects inside his body. Authorities later extracted the capsules and took the individual into custody for further investigation. ICAPC praised the customs officers for their vigilance and efficiency, reaffirming their commitment to protecting the UAE from narcotic threats. “The Authority commends the inspectors for their dedication to safeguarding state security and public safety. The smuggling of narcotic substances is a serious threat, and we are committed to deterring any such attempts through robust monitoring systems and continuous training,” the authority said in a statement. This incident comes just one week after another major drug bust at the same airport, where customs officers seized 5kg of marijuana concealed inside a traveller’s baggage. The contraband was discovered after the baggage showed suspicious content on scanning equipment. Authorities have ramped up border security by using cutting-edge scanning devices and continuously training customs teams to identify smuggling attempts. The ICAPC emphasized its collaboration with domestic and international partners to share intelligence and improve detection methods. The authority confirmed that efforts to enhance inspection systems and reinforce national security will continue as part of their annual training plan for customs teams. ICA/Expat Media
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