Abu Dhabi: Four attempted cases of drug smuggling through Abu Dhabi International Airport have been foiled by authorities this year, said police in a statement on Tuesday.
At least 18 kilograms of cocaine have been seized in the four separate cases where smugglers used various methods to try and conceal the drugs, including hiding the illicit drugs inside their own bodies by swallowing the drugs.
Other suspects attempted to fool customs officials at the airport by hiding the drugs inside shampoo packs and other cosmetic packaging.
According to Colonel Rashid Mohammad Bu Rasheed, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the four smugglers were Africans travelling from Latin America, and were in transit going through Abu Dhabi International Airport before flying out to other destinations.
He added that the suspicious behaviour and demeanour of the suspects is what alerted the airport security, and that the suspects admitted that they were smuggling cocaine through the airport under questioning.
They told police officers they were looking to eventually sell the drugs to make a profit.
Colonel Rasheed added that the Abu Dhabi Police would continue to provide training that meets the highest standards, which would allow for the rapid detection of drug smuggling and the types of drugs that are being transported, as well as being able to understand the many different methods that are used by smugglers to try and conceal the drugs.
