Dubai Customs Foils Smuggling of 70 Million Cigarettes to Europe

Dubai Customs thwarted the export of nine shipments containing more than 70 million illicit cigarettes, with a total weight of approximately seven tons of tobacco, which were en route to a European country via three air cargo ports in the Emirate of Dubai.

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported that the seizure followed suspicious indicators and the analysis of shipment data by targeting teams at the Air Cargo Centers Administration. Audits and inspections revealed discrepancies between the actual contents of the shipments and the information declared in their documentation. The shipments were declared as "clothing," but were found to contain 360,500 cartons of cigarettes, comprising over 70 million illicit cigarettes.

The agency added that customs teams carried out the seizures across three separate operations. Data analysis and information linking showed that the nine shipments were linked to a single importer, despite passing through three different air cargo ports. This common pattern facilitated their detection and allowed for coordinated seizure operations.

Abdullah Ahmed Al Blooshi, Director of the Air Cargo Centers Administration at Dubai Customs, stated that the seizures reflect the high level of efficiency and readiness achieved by targeting and inspection teams in dealing with evolving methods of illegal trade.

He added, "The success in uncovering nine shipments intended for export through three air cargo ports and linking them to a single importer confirms that the strength of customs work today does not rely solely on inspections. It begins with information, accurate interpretation of indicators, and the ability to connect them and anticipate risks before the shipment completes its journey."

He noted that the high capabilities of the administration’s inspection teams contributed to completing 182 seizures during the first three months of the current year, including 161 security seizures and 21 customs seizures. He emphasized the significant role played by Dubai Customs in combating smuggling risks, illegal trade, and fraudulent activities, as well as protecting international supply chains from exploitation.