DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Dubai Customs has stopped an attempt to ship more than 70 million illicit cigarettes to a European destination after identifying nine suspicious consignments moving through three air cargo facilities.
The shipments contained 360,500 cartons of cigarettes, representing nearly seven tonnes of tobacco, according to Dubai Customs.
The cargo had been declared as clothing, prompting further scrutiny by customs officers.
Data analysis exposes common link
Customs teams used shipment information and risk indicators to examine the consignments and identify similarities between them.
The nine shipments were ultimately connected to the same importer, allowing authorities to intervene before the cargo left the UAE.
The operation highlights the growing role of data-driven screening in Dubai’s customs network, where large volumes of air freight are assessed for potential risks.
182 seizures recorded in three months
Dubai’s air cargo centres recorded 182 seizures over a three-month period, according to figures released by Dubai Customs.
The total included 21 customs seizures and 161 security-related seizures.
The latest case underscores the importance of risk-based inspections in protecting Dubai’s air cargo system from attempts to move prohibited or illicit goods through international supply chains.
Dubai Customs has continued to expand the use of technology and intelligence-led targeting to identify suspicious consignments while facilitating legitimate international trade.
The seized cigarettes will remain subject to the relevant legal and customs procedures as authorities continue action connected with the case.
