ABU DHABI, 23rd May, 2018 (WAM) — The Federal Customs Authority, FCA, the Anti-Narcotics Federal General Directorate of the Ministry of Interior and local customs departments from around the country have discussed, during a meeting that was held at the FCA’s headquarters in Dubai, the means of strengthening their cooperation in combatting drugs and protecting the community from its negative effects.
The meeting was headed by Ahmed Abdullah Lahej, Executive Director of the Customs Affairs Sector at the FCA, and included Brigadier Saeed Abdullah bin Tuwair Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the Anti-Narcotics Federal General Directorate, and several directors of national customs authorities.
The meeting also discussed the role of customs in combatting drugs and countering smuggling operations, to protect the community, especially the youth, from the effects of drugs.
Brigadier Al Suwaidi highlighted the importance of holding regular meetings between all relevant parties while praising the role of the FCA and local customs departments in raising the country’s drug seizure index for the first quarter of 2018.
Ahmed bin Lahej pointed out that protecting the community from the negative effects of drug smuggling is a key part of the strategic goals of the FCA and local customs departments, as well as those of the UAE Vision 2021, the indexes of the National Agenda, and the directives of the wise leadership.
He added that the FCA and local customs departments have prioritised combatting drug smuggling through the country’s borders, due to its serious effects on the youth and the security and stability of the community while praising the cooperation between the FCA, local customs departments and the Ministry of Interior.
He stated that the cooperation between the relevant parties in exchanging information and expertise has enabled the customs department to perform its role in protecting the community and achieving its related targets.
The FCA and local customs departments are implementing strategic plans to combat drug smuggling, including by providing customs entry points with the latest inspection equipment and improving the skills of customs inspectors by training and exchanging expertise and local and international knowledge, as well as by employing sniffer dogs, he concluded.
