In Video: Smuggling of «marijuana» stuffed inside «Thai» dates foiled

Officials from the General Administration of Customs at the Air Cargo Customs Department thwarted an attempt to smuggle a quantity of marijuana, cleverly concealed inside a postal parcel arriving from the Kingdom of Thailand. The seizure followed suspicions by customs inspectors regarding the parcel, which was declared in its documentation as containing “dates.” The parcel was subjected to rigorous customs inspection procedures, which revealed 104 pieces of marijuana weighing approximately 549 grams in total. The drugs had been carefully hidden and stuffed inside the dates in an attempt to disguise them and mislead customs officers, thereby evading customs inspection and control measures.

Immediately, coordination was established with the General Administration for the Suppression of Drugs and Alcohol, and the suspect, a Sri Lankan national, was apprehended upon receiving the parcel. Legal procedures are being completed, and a seizure report is being prepared to refer the suspect and the seized items to the General Administration for the Suppression of Drugs and Alcohol for appropriate action.

In a statement, Customs said this seizure is in implementation of the directives of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, emphasizing the need to strengthen customs supervision, tighten control at border crossings, and resolutely combat attempts to smuggle narcotics and psychoactive substances, thereby contributing to safeguarding the country’s security and societal well-being. This effort is also supported by the direct oversight of the Head of the General Administration of Customs and the Deputy Head of the General Administration of Customs for Border Affairs, Customs Research and Investigation, who are working to continuously develop the customs work system, enhance the efficiency of inspection and targeting procedures, and strengthen customs officers’ capabilities in detecting and thwarting various smuggling methods and attempts.

The General Administration of Customs affirmed that its officers remain vigilant and efficient in carrying out their duties, leveraging their expertise in customs inspection and supervision to counter all smuggling attempts, regardless of the concealment and disguise methods employed, in order to preserve the security and safety of society.