DUBAI: Dubai Customs thwarted an attempt to smuggle in 28.3 tonnes of the tobacco derivative ‘naswar’ in Jebel Ali.
“Ahmad Mahboub Musabbah, the Executive Director of Customers Management at Dubai Customs, said the shipment came from an Asian country and was hidden in 375 bags to mislead customs officials,” says Gulf News. UAE deems ‘naswar’ a toxic substance and has banned its sale and production in the emirate.
Musabbah said the owner of the cargo was an Asian national who tried to deceive authorities by hiding his container behind other companies’ in Jebel Ali.
The owner then brought an empty container to transfer the banned substances secretly but inspectors foiled his attempt.