As many as 133 attempts to smuggle forbidden items were foiled at Dubai Airports' Terminal 2 last year.
That's according to the stats released by Dubai Customs, which handled more than 5.5 million pieces of baggage at the terminal over the 12-month period.
In 2022, the Terminal 2 Customs Centre made 166 seizures, which included 133 smuggling attempts and 33 related to customs violations.
The authority said that a major drug haul last year was the seizure of nearly 37 kg of marijuana, which was hidden among food items in two bags belonging to a passenger arriving from an African country.
Customs officials have been using artificial intelligence and other high-end technology to streamline inspection and clearance procedures.
Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director-General of Dubai Customs and CEO of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, lauded the efforts of the staff.
He emphasised that the customs centers at Dubai airports are constantly progressing and providing better services and amenities, in line with the UAE's efforts to cement its position as a major hub for travel and tourism.
HE Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of #DubaiCustoms and CEO of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, led a nighttime tour of Terminal 2 of @DXB's Customs Department to praise the department's achievements in 2022 pic.twitter.com/FvmECJRy1E
— جمارك دبي | Dubai Customs (@DubaiCustoms) March 15, 2023
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the extension of the operating hours of the Dubai Metro between the Centrpoint and GGICO stations from December 28 to 30.
H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman has approved a 2025 budget of AED 3.7 billion, with the main focus being on community welfare and economic development.
The United Kingdom's national carrier, British Airways, has suspended all flights to Abu Dhabi from London Heathrow between March 31 and October 25 next year.
The Arab League has condemned Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s incursion into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Thursday alongside a group of settlers.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, reviewed Hatta's development projects, as Dubai strives to further improve its global standing as a city of opportunities.
The UAE has strongly condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s Minister of National Security, under the protection of Israeli police, calling it a provocative and extremist act.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has announced plans to organise a series of New Year’s Eve celebrations for workers across the UAE, under the theme "Happy Workers, Thriving Business".