Dubai Customs Foils An Attempt Of Smuggling 33 Heroine Capsules Hidden In An Asian Passenger’s Guts

Passengers Operation Department at Dubai Customs foiled an attempt of smuggling 32 capsules of heroin weighing 530 grams that were swallowed by an Asian female passenger and settled in her guts in an attempt to bring them to UAE through Dubai Int’l Airport.

Customs inspectors have suspected the lady who was acting strange while she was waiting for her luggage as she seemed even more confused when she moved to the customs inspection zone. The lady was meticulously examined, at the beginning nothing suspicious appeared on the x-ray detector, and nothing abnormal detected even when a female inspector was asked to search the female passenger.

Afterward, murky units appeared on the Body Scan machine that were suspected to be drugs and so she was transferred to the Investigation Department at the Passengers Operation Department at the airport where she burst into tears and asked the female inspector to accompany her to the toilet where she disposed three capsules wrapped inside plastic bags with 162 grams of heroine inside one capsule and 22 grams in the other one. Under investigations, the passenger eventually admitted that she was hiding 30 capsules of heroine inside her body and that she intended to hand them in to somebody waiting for her outside the airport.

In cooperation with the Anti-Narcotics General Department at Dubai Police, a team of customs inspectors and members of the Anti-Narcotics Department was formed to ambush the female passenger’s partners. Once she was released, two Asian people received her at the Departures; they were immediately detained by the Anti-Narcotics General Department where necessary legal procedures were taken.

Moreover, the passenger was admitted to a hospital to put her under monitoring. There were seven capsules her body disposed gradually that weighed 76 grams of heroine, 3 other capsules weighed 40 grams and another 20 ones that weighed 230 grams.

Mr. Ali Al Mugahwi, Director of Passengers Operation Department in Dubai Customs said:" Despite the subtle way the passenger used to hide the drugs inside her guts, customs inspectors managed to uncover this attempt thanks to their expertise and good knowledge of body language and different smuggling techniques as well as the training courses they received from many experts."

Mr. Ali Al Mugahwi added:" Dubai Customs considers protecting civilians and the community by safeguarding all ports in Dubai the most significant strategic goal. Therefore, the Department is keen on choosing the best customs inspectors and developing their abilities and skills by giving them the required training courses and rewarding the distinguished which assist in foiling several attempts of illegal goods and drugs trafficking."

First ’Dubai Statistics Center Award’ Announced

Dubai Statistics Center (DSC) yesterday (Tuesday, May 05, 2009) announced the winners of the first ‘Dubai Statistics Center Award’ during a ceremony held at the Dubai Police Officers’ Club. Awards were given in four categories – Government Institutions; Private Organisations; the Media; and Households – which have demonstrated their support towards statistical work.

Arif Obaid Al Muhairi, Executive Director of DSC, said that the award comes within the Center’s strategic framework which aims to activate the role of statistical work and raise awareness in different categories, and added that the award creates an environment of healthy competition. He pointed out that all levels of society, including the government departments and organisations, private institutions, individuals, families and the media have a role to play in supporting statistical work and enhance its direct contribution to planning activities and decision making.

Al Muhairi explained that organisations and individuals can contribute to statistical work, by providing timely, accurate and comprehensive data to the Center when it conducts census and statistical surveys. He said that accurate statistics are also important when issuing statistical indicators about Dubai, which form the basis for future estimates and forecasts, and for planning and decision making. Al Muhairi also revealed that the award will be presented annually as the Center continues its focus on developing the assessment standards of the candidates.

Winners of category 1 – Government institutions supporting statistical work:Five government departments and organisations won the ‘Dubai Statistics Center Award’ for the category ‘Government institutions supporting statistical work’ for the year 2008, these include: Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD), Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai Municipality, Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (DICD) and Dubai eGovernment.

Director of DNRD, Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri received the award on behalf of DNRD, which was recognised for its continuous focus on providing statistical data, despite the complexity of Dubai’s demographic profile. DNRD, whose statistics are regularly used by planners, decision makers and strategic committees, is also an active member of the Statistical Coordination Committee in Dubai.

The award for the Department of Economic Development (DED) was received by Khalid Al Kassim, Deputy Director General for Planning and Development at DED. The department was recognised for its support of statistical work as it is the first department to provide its statistics for electronic upload, which gave DSC access to latest statistical frameworks that are used as a basis for conducting economic surveys in the emirate and for the calculation of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The department is also an active member of the Statistical Coordination Committee in Dubai.

The award for Dubai Municipality was received by H.E. Eng. Issa Al Hajj Al Midor, Assistant General Manager, General Project Affairs at Dubai Municipality. Dubai Municipality is regarded as the pioneering government department to support statistical work in the emirate as it hosted DSC when it was set up and has continuously supported the Center ever since. Dubai Municipality is also an active member of the Statistical Coordination Committee in Dubai.

The award for the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities was received by H.E. Saeed Khamis Al Marhoumi, Assistant Director General of Technical Support at DICD. The department was honoured for its initiatives in collaborating with non-profit organisations and providing statistical data for these partner agencies of long standing. DICD provided data on financial resources quickly and accurately; the information was to be used in a specialised survey as part of the calculation of the GDP.

Dubai eGovernment was also a recipient, with Matar Saeed Al Humairi, Head of Application Management Unit, Government Information Resources Planning Department, receiving the award. Dubai eGovernment was recognized for its exceptional support in providing the technical infrastructure for electronic statistical linking. It was particularly cited for enabling departments and organisations of the Dubai Government such as the Dubai Statistics Center (DSC) to participate at GITEX 2008. DSC’s portal (www.dsc.gov.ae) was launched during the event by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Dubai eGovernment’s activities during GITEX helped the government save on related expenditures.

Winners of category 2 – Private institutions supporting statistical work: Majid Al Futtaim Group, Etisalat and Emaar Properties received the ‘Dubai Statistics Center Award’ under the category “Private institutions supporting statistical work.” The cooperation of the three organisations in the Center’s 2008 economic surveys was highly commended, as they provided their required data in an accurate and comprehensive manner in record time. The award was received by Obeid Mohammed Al Shared, Financial Director, Etisalat; Mohammed Malek, Vice President, Human Resources, Majid Al Futtaim Group; and Essam Galadari, CEO of Emaar Properties. It is worth noting that these surveys provide basic data that are included as inputs for assessing the GDP of the emirate and considered important economic indicators.

Winners of category 3 – Households supporting statistical work: ‘Dubai Statistics Center Award’ for “Households Supporting Statistical Work” is intended to motivate families and individuals to fully cooperate with the Center and respond quickly to censuses and statistical surveys that require accurate and comprehensive data on families. The two households that won the award were those of Mr. Rashed Masoud and Mr. Khalid Hussein Harb.

Winners of category 4 – Media supporting statistical work:Al Bayan Newspaper was chosen as the most supportive of statistical work in Dubai, winning under the category ‘Media supporting statistical work’. The award was received by Hamad Salmeen, Head of Local Affairs at Al Bayan. The TV channel and radio station of Noor Dubai was named the most exclusive and supportive channel/radio. The event honoured distinguished journalists who have achieved their goals with regard to statistical works in accordance with the highest levels of professionalism.

During the ceremony, Al Muhairi also gave tribute to exclusive suppliers in line with the Center’s efforts to build partnerships and promote mutual interests between them. The Center’s outstanding employees for 2008 were also recognized and commended for their efforts and achievements.

Dubai Customs And Dubai Police Organize The “15th Inspectors Basic Course” Graduation Ceremony

Under the patronage of Mr. Mohammed Matar Al Marri Executive Director of Cargo Operation Division at Dubai Customs and Brigadier Dr. Mohammed Ahmad Bin Fahad Director of Dubai Police Academy, the graduation ceremony of “The Inspectors’ 15th Basics Course” which took place from 29/12/2008 till 28/4/2009 was held at Dubai Police Academy on Tuesday morning, April 28th, 2009.

The course comes as part of the comprehensive training program followed by Dubai Customs to develop and enhance the skills and potential of its inspectors and employees in a way that enables them to contribute effectively to the department’s greater benefit. This, of course, renders them key players in achieving the department’s various objectives, such as protecting the emirate and the whole country’s boarders, facilitating the progress of legitimate trade as well as providing the best possible services to it’s clients.

The course aims at qualifying inspectors in customs and military areas in order to improve their competency and job performance so as to achieve security and safety standards while performing their duties. It also aims at measuring the efficiency and adequacy of the training plan, how much it can achieve the Human Resources Division’s objectives and strategies, evaluating inspectors’ competency and measuring the efficiency and the training benefits related to this important training program.

The ceremony was attended by Mrs. Feryal Tawakul Executive Director of Human Resources Division at Dubai Customs, Dr. Shaikha Al Ghafiri Senior Manager of HR Training and Development At Dubai Customs, Brigadier Dr. Ahmad Eid Al Mansouri, Deputy Director General of Dubai Police Academy, Lt. Colonel Rashid Bin Darwish Al Falasi Manger of Training Institute at Dubai Police Academy, as well as a number of other senior officials from both sides.

The first group of the Dubai Customs and Dubai Police inspectors who successfully completed course, were given certificates at the graduation ceremony. While the course’s first three inspectors, Ghanem Khalil Ibrahim (first), Eid Ibrahim Hassan (second), Fahed Mamnoon Jaabob Amer (third) and Ali Ahmad Al-Shehi (third repeated) will be honored at a later stage at the Dubai Customs Headquarters.

The course included theoretical lectures on the Common Customs Law, Rules of Origin, Job Ethics, National Security, Criminal Investigation, Intellectual Property Rights and many other subjects relevant to customs inspection work. It also included military training, self-defense and first-aid courses and ways of dealing with different kinds of threats in order to enable the inspector to protect himself and his community. The program is organized in collaboration with Dubai Police Academy which hosts those courses.

Mr. Mohammed Matar Al Marri congratulated the graduates for having successfully passed the course and confirmed that “Dubai Customs is always keen to provide training programs to its employees at all levels as this is of great importance to scour their skills and improve their job abilities and capabilities. These programs are studied and selected in extreme care so as to suit each employee’s job task in order to achieve the set objective in the light of Customs general strategy and inline with its mission in the first place, to become the leading Customs administration in the world supporting legitimate trade”.

Mrs. Feryal Tawakul confirmed that training programs are “one of the basics adopted by Dubai Customs as part of its care for the manpower, giving it the opportunity to develop its capabilities, working closely to maintain its achievements as an efficient organization in the social and economic development witnessed by the emirate of Dubai and guided by the pertinent visions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai giving man an important position in achieving this development as a key driver”.

It is worth mentioning that these courses are conducted on a regular basis and for many years between Dubai Customs and Dubai Police at Dubai Police Academy, as they help improve inspectors’ personal and professional capabilities being the emirate’s front line and the vigilant protectors at the same time.

UAE Sets Up Temporary Decent Housing Complex For Workers Who Violated Labour Laws

A decent housing complex will be set up to accommodate workers who violated the UAE laws of labour and residency, said Commander General of the Dubai Police Lt. Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim.The decision was made by the national level higher committee for labour crises management which brought together representatives of the Ministry of Labour and municipalities of all emirates.Tamim who chaired the meeting said the complex will continue to give those workers access to all decent services and amenities of dignified life, including medical care and food until all issues and disputes with their sponsors are settled in accordance with the provisions of the UAE labour law.All these problems will be amicably settled in a civilized manner by the concerned parties, i.e. the workers and owners of the companies.Tamim made these remarks in presence of Deputy Commander General of Abu Dhabi Police Maj. Gen. Obaid al-Heri al-Ketbi, Commander of Special Security Forces Maj. Gen. Salim Mohammed al-Mazrouei, Director General of National Media Council Ibrahim al-Abed.The decision was made as per the directives of the Minister of Interior H.H Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed al-Nahyan.Tamim underscored the importance of promoting a relevant security and social culture as well as of raising the awareness of owners of businesses and companies to fulfill the teachings of Islam which urge for the protection of the workers’ rights as per the UAE’s policies and the directives of the country’s leadership.The committee discussed the problems of non-payment of over-time wages, deduction of the workers’ sick leaves and weekly off-days from their annual leaves as well as the denying them the right to annual leaves.Tamim discussed the need to conduct inspection campaigns to enforce the labour laws, punish violators of labour laws and force fines on owners of accommodation units that do not comply with public safety and cleanness standards.He further reviewed reports by heads of the teams form each emirate on procedures and the outcome of inspections.
 

Students Take A Look Into The Future

The Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA) has hosted a two-day exhibition (21st & 22nd April, 2009) to encourage an interest in e-learning.The event, called ZITEX, was staged at KHDA’s offices in Academic City. It was organised by the Public Prosecution (PP) and Dubai Schools Agency (DSA). It included demonstrations of e-services and innovative tools, along with services and products offered by both government institutions and the private sector.ZITEX is poised to be the largest e-learning event of the region. More than 500 students were invited from schools across Dubai to attend this event. The exhibition was open to female students on the first day and male students on the second day.Among those taking part in ZITEX were the Public Prosecution, Dubai Courts, Land Department, Dubai Police, Department of Naturalization & Residency Dubai, Department of Economic Development, RTA, Dubai Municipality, Tamkeen, The Higher Colleges of Technology, Du, Ministry of Education, Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Est., Emirates Identity Authority, Solid Language Institute, Centre of Ambulance Services, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, DEWA, British Computer Society – Middle East, Netcome Systems Company and Sheikh Zayed Housing Program.HE Fatma All Marri ,CEO of Dubai School Agency, said: “Exhibitions like this one play a prominent role in bringing about a technology culture among students. The presence of more than 500 students from Dubai secondary schools at the exhibition reflects that we are working towards making students the real beneficiaries of such exhibitions.” She added: “The exhibition reflects the cooperation that exists between Government departments in Dubai.”Essam Issa Alhomydan, Dubai Attorney General, said: “Taking part in ZITEX is part of our strategic plan towards social responsibility and service to the community at large. We are sponsoring this event to promote e-education amongst students and also educate them about the application of technology in the workplace, thereby helping them prepare for the challenging and competitive job market.”He added: “There is healthy competition between the government and private sector to actively leverage technology to serve the society and improve customer satisfaction. PP is working in co-operation with different establishments, especially with students, to deliver this message of social security across communities for a brighter future.”Fayza Abd Al Kareem Al Sowaylem, Director of Zabeel School, said: “We are happy and honored to see the participation and support for ZITEX which is aimed at showcasing to students how technology is applied in real-life situations.“This exhibition is one of many organized by the IT section of the school. Last year, we organized a charity exhibition to help orphans in our school. We thank the government and private sectors sharing their knowledge in the IT field. Our special thanks go to Public Prosecution for supporting us and making us feel that we are not alone in promoting education. We have sincere partners with a sense of national spirit and commitment to build a brighter future for the next generation.”
 

Dubai Customs Takes Part In The 21st Pedigree And Whiskas Pets Show

The Detector Dogs Unit (DDCU) at Dubai Customs participated in the 21st Pedigree and Whiskas Pets Show held at the “Festival City” area in Dubai on 21st February 2009 being the first time in which a government organization in the UAE takes part in this annual charitable show.

DDCU took part with two showcasing, which aroused the attention and satisfaction of the public.

In the first show, customs inspectors sought the assistance of DDCU to examine a vehicle suspected to be loaded with explosives at one of customs land borders operating in Dubai. DDCU immediately responded to the request and a trained customs dog detected the explosives inside the suspected vehicle.

Customs inspectors, in the second show, examined a passenger’s baggage suspected of smuggling drugs. Customs inspectors failed in their first inspection attempt to detect the drugs, which were carefully hidden inside the baggage. They immediately called for DDCU to assist with examining the baggage. The call was immediately responded by DDCU and a drug detector dog examined the baggage and could identify the bag containing the illegal drugs.

Mr. Mohammed Al Mari, Executive Director of Cargo Operations at Dubai customs said that, “our participation in this show aims at highlighting DDCU key role in assisting inspection officers at different customs borders with maintaining Dubai’s security and safeguarding its borders being the reason for establishing the DDCU, which proved to be efficient over the past period since its inception.”

Worth mentioning, the DDCU was established in 2007 to assist customs officers with examining drugs and explosives in a manner protecting the society from any harms and maintaining safety and security of the citizen and the country. Cooperation was made with Dubai Police in connection with training the respective staff and qualifying customs dogs to operate in the area of security searching. The DDCU operates with six dogs, two of them are explosives dogs and the other four are drug detector dogs.