Abdulla Busenad: “Dubai is a global model in protecting people and reinforcing security and stability.”
As the world marked June 26—the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking — Dubai stands out not merely as a participant in the global conversation, but as a model for how it should be won. Drugs are no longer just a security threat.
They are an economic burden, a public health crisis, and a social epidemic that crosses borders, targets youth, tears families apart, and feeds organized crime networks. Dubai Customs has made confronting this threat a strategic priority — not as a reactive measure, but as a proactive, intelligence-driven mission built on artificial intelligence, cutting-edge technology, human expertise, and robust local and international partnerships.
Dubai: A global hub for safe trade
HE Abdulla bin Damaithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, affirmed that Dubai Customs’ achievements in combating drug smuggling embody the vision of the wise leadership — one that has made Dubai a global model of security and a leading destination for legitimate trade and safe investment, through an integrated system that balances community protection with the seamless flow of trade.
HE noted that Dubai has firmly established itself as a city of security and stability, and that maintaining this standing requires continuous development of the customs system, investment in national competencies, and the deployment of the latest smart technologies.
Numbers that tell the story
The first five months of 2026 paint a vivid picture of relentless vigilance. Dubai Customs inspection and targeting teams executed 502 seizures, intercepting 406 kilograms of narcotic and psychotropic substances and stopping more than 2.3mn narcotic tablets from ever reaching the market.
A message beyond borders
“Every drug shipment intercepted before entering the country is not merely a security achievement — it means protecting thousands of families from collapse, saving young people from addiction, and preserving the nation’s economic foundations,” stated HE Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General, Dubai Customs.
People over machines
Mohammed Al Ghaffari, Executive Director of the Customs Inspection Division at Dubai Customs, emphasized that strengthening the security system at customs entry points is a strategic priority —particularly as smuggling methods grow increasingly sophisticated. Security readiness, he stressed, is not built on technology alone, but on the customs inspector’s ability to apply field between facilitating legitimate trade and tightening control over unlawful activities.
Landmark operations
Two operations from 2025 stand as proof of that precision. In Operation Black Tank, Dubai Customs foiled a sophisticated smuggling attempt involving 147.4 kilograms of narcotics arriving from an Asian country via sea freight — concealed inside a specially constructed tank. In Operation Ampoules, teams intercepted 102 kilograms of Nalbuphine arriving from an Asian country via air cargo, following a meticulous surveillance operation that ended in a clean intercept.
Siyaj—When technology becomes a shield
The Siyaj (wall or fence) system is one of Dubai Customs’ most sophisticated smart security initiatives, deploying an integrated architecture that combines AI, advanced detection devices, eco-friendly electric vehicles, and round-the-clock human teams — supported by the K9 Customs Dog Unit — to monitor all customs entry points with precision and speed.
Shahin—Smarter inspection, faster trade
The Shahin project reflects Dubai Customs’ vision of harnessing smart solutions to elevate customs operations. It supports inspection processes and manages shipment flows with greater efficiency — accelerating clearance for low-risk consignments while concentrating resources on those requiring deeper scrutiny.
