Two new vehicles to meet the operational requirements of the K9 Unit
Dubai Customs has launched a new fleet of vehicles for its K9 Unit to coincide with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and in support of the UAE’s national anti-drug campaign, launched this year by the National Anti-Narcotics Council under the slogan ‘Uniting to Eradicate the Scourge’.
The new fleet forms part of Dubai Customs’ strategy to modernize its customs inspection system and strengthen the operational readiness of its specialized units, including the K9 Unit, which plays a critical role in protecting society and the national economy from attempts to smuggle narcotics and other prohibited substances through the country’s border crossings.
Dubai Customs said the two new vehicles have been built to the highest international standards to meet the operational requirements of the K9 Unit. They are designed to accelerate response times to inspection requests from customs centers, improve field inspection efficiency and provide the highest levels of safety for both handlers and dogs.
Unit composition
The unit currently comprises 28 customs dogs, including 20 trained to detect narcotics and eight specialized in explosives detection. They are handled by 24 officers—20 men and four women—reflecting the diversity of national talent working in this vital security field.
The unit also carried out 341 field deployments in 2023, increasing to 419 in 2024, while completing 290 deployments in 2025 to support inspection operations across customs centers.
The K9 Unit operates from a purpose-built facility designed to the highest international standards. The complex includes 54 kennels, five quarantine kennels, five specialized training kennels, a veterinary examination room, training grounds and, following the addition of the new vehicles, a fleet of six dedicated K9 transport vehicles.
Investment in technology and specialized capabilities
“The new K9 fleet is a qualitative addition to our inspection system, enhancing response speed, supporting field readiness, and providing an integrated operational environment that helps foil attempts to smuggle prohibited substances while protecting society and the national economy,” stated Yasser Saeed Al Musallami, Senior Customs Affairs Consultant, Dubai Customs.
Fouad Al Suwaidi, Director of the Technical Support Department, Dubai Customs, added that Dubai Customs continues to invest in specialized training facilities that simulate inspection scenarios across land, sea and air entry points. These include sand, grass and indoor training areas, alongside a veterinary clinic, quarantine facilities and hazardous materials storage rooms, all in line with international best practice for customs K9 operations.
