The Peninsula
DOHA: With the introduction of sophisticated inspection methods and techniques, the seizure of drugs and other prohibited materials at Hamad International Airport (HIA) has increased significantly, a senior official of General Authority of Customs (GAC) has said.
The number of seizures since January this year has reached 1,606 compared to 1,250 during 2015. There are four months to go and the number this year could be higher compared to last year, said Ajab Mansour Al Qahtani, Director of Customs, HIA.
“Accumulating experiences and constant training to match with the sophisticated ways being used by smugglers are helping inspectors detect prohibited materials from entering the country,” he said.
GAC is collaborating with the Drug Control Department and the Ministry of Public Health whose specialised staff are working round-the-clock at HIA along with customs inspectors to prevent the entry of drugs and banned medicines.
Al Qahtani said new types of drugs like Captagon, Tramadol and Lirica represented 50 percent of the seizures, besides other drugs such as marijuana, hashish, cocaine and “shabu” (methamphetamine).
The role of drug specialists and medical experts is vital in detecting new types of drugs emerging every time, he said. “Despite the fact that smugglers are inventing new ways to overcome customs screening, inspectors are detecting smuggled materials in cooperation with other ministries and government agencies,” said Al Qahtani.
He said every passenger who has goods, personal belongings and material subject to customs duties and other fees, or subject to the provisions of prohibition and restrictions in the customs law or other legislation applicable in the state, must declare them. There are two checking channels for passengers — green for those who have no goods that need to be declared or prohibited material and the red lane for those who are carrying such items.
GAC has achieved 100 percent Qatarisation, is building capacity and training inspectors in different areas such as how to deal with different cultures and nationalities, the art of dealing with the public, use of body language, how to deal with diplomats, and how to cooperate with authorities. Al Qahtani said GAC has begun to prepare its staff to meet the influx of football fans to the country during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Peninsula
DOHA: With the introduction of sophisticated inspection methods and techniques, the seizure of drugs and other prohibited materials at Hamad International Airport (HIA) has increased significantly, a senior official of General Authority of Customs (GAC) has said.
The number of seizures since January this year has reached 1,606 compared to 1,250 during 2015. There are four months to go and the number this year could be higher compared to last year, said Ajab Mansour Al Qahtani, Director of Customs, HIA.
“Accumulating experiences and constant training to match with the sophisticated ways being used by smugglers are helping inspectors detect prohibited materials from entering the country,” he said.
GAC is collaborating with the Drug Control Department and the Ministry of Public Health whose specialised staff are working round-the-clock at HIA along with customs inspectors to prevent the entry of drugs and banned medicines.
Al Qahtani said new types of drugs like Captagon, Tramadol and Lirica represented 50 percent of the seizures, besides other drugs such as marijuana, hashish, cocaine and “shabu” (methamphetamine).
The role of drug specialists and medical experts is vital in detecting new types of drugs emerging every time, he said. “Despite the fact that smugglers are inventing new ways to overcome customs screening, inspectors are detecting smuggled materials in cooperation with other ministries and government agencies,” said Al Qahtani.
He said every passenger who has goods, personal belongings and material subject to customs duties and other fees, or subject to the provisions of prohibition and restrictions in the customs law or other legislation applicable in the state, must declare them. There are two checking channels for passengers — green for those who have no goods that need to be declared or prohibited material and the red lane for those who are carrying such items.
GAC has achieved 100 percent Qatarisation, is building capacity and training inspectors in different areas such as how to deal with different cultures and nationalities, the art of dealing with the public, use of body language, how to deal with diplomats, and how to cooperate with authorities. Al Qahtani said GAC has begun to prepare its staff to meet the influx of football fans to the country during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
