Abdulla Busenad: Dubai Customs Is a global model in combating smuggling and tackling organized crime
Dubai Customs has recently dealt a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks, providing the intelligence that led to the seizure of a major Tapentadol consignment destined for an African country.
The shipment, originating from Asia and transported via air cargo, never reached its destination — stopped in its tracks by the kind of cross-border intelligence cooperation that has become a hallmark of Dubai’s growing role in global security.
The consignment weighed approximately 1.332 tons of narcotic tablets, making it one of the most significant cases to highlight the critical importance of international customs cooperation and intelligence sharing in confronting cross-border smuggling networks and organized crime.
Intelligence-driven targeting at the core
The Customs Intelligence Department and Special Task Force at Dubai Customs are among the most important strategic pillars supporting targeting, monitoring, and analytical operations.
Specialized teams work continuously to collect and analyze data, cross-referencing operational, commercial, and logistical indicators to detect unusual patterns that may signal criminal activity or attempts to smuggle prohibited substances.
The Air Cargo Centers Management processes large and diverse volumes of incoming, transit, and outbound shipments every single day, a reality that demands consistently high levels of readiness and precision across all inspection and verification operations.
“At Dubai Customs, we believe that protecting communities is a shared responsibility that transcends geographic borders, and we continue to develop our intelligence and technological capabilities to support international efforts to combat drugs and safeguard the future of generations,” affirmed HE Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General, Dubai Customs.
Inspection Division: The first line of defense
“We operate through an integrated system that brings together qualified human expertise, advanced technologies, and intelligent systems, enabling us to detect and handle suspicious shipments with a high degree of efficiency,” asserted Mohammed Al Ghaffari, Executive Director of the Customs Inspection Division, Dubai Customs.
Smart Risk Engine: Intercepting threats before they materialize
Yasser Al Musallami, Principal Advisor for Customs Affairs at Dubai Customs, affirmed that the Special Operations Team possesses advanced capabilities in targeting, analysis, and risk management.
“It enables real-time data analysis and cross-referencing with multiple information sources to extract indicators of suspicion with high precision and efficiency — enhancing Dubai Customs’ ability to anticipate risks and address them before they evolve into actual threats to the safety of communities,” he concluded.
