UAE Customs Intercepts 16.2kg of Crystal Meth Concealed in Vehicle Tyre at Border

UAE Customs successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 16.2kg of crystal methamphetamine into the country after discovering the illicit drugs hidden inside a vehicle's tyre at a border crossing.

The operation began when customs inspection officers grew suspicious of the vehicle as it passed through advanced radiation scanning systems, which flagged unusual indicators. This prompted manual inspection teams to carry out a thorough search. Assisted by the Customs and Security Support Department’s K9 drug-detection team, the operation successfully uncovered the concealed narcotics.

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security stated that the successful bust highlighted the vigilance and field expertise of customs inspectors, alongside the crucial role played by advanced screening technologies in detecting smuggling attempts at the UAE’s entry points.

Data from the authority indicates that the General Directorate of Border Security has recorded a total of 765 drug seizures since the start of 2026, encompassing roughly 390kg of narcotics and 50,000 pills. The authority commended its inspection officers for executing their duties with high efficiency and effectiveness.

Furthermore, the authority reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to enhancing inspection systems to safeguard society from the dangers of narcotics and deter anyone attempting to compromise the UAE's security, aligning with broader national efforts to protect the community.