Violations at customs ports rose by 55 per cent last year

A 55 percent increase was noted in the number of confiscations and violations at the country’s customs ports, according to the Ministry of Interior.

Statistics revealed by the ministry yesterday showed that there has been a 55pc rise in such cases last year when compared to 2017. “The Director-General of Customs Clearance and Services of the Customs Affairs, Waleed Al Sabagh announced on Saturday a remarkable increase in the number of confiscations and violations in 2018 at Customs Ports,” the ministry stated.

“He said that the department registered 12,600 confiscations and violations, with a rise of 55pc compared with 2017. “The seizures of narcotics pills reached 1,086 with an increase of 26pc and the seized items that violate the copyrights and intellectual property reached 307 cases with a rise of 160pc.

“The department reported 41 money trafficking cases with an increase of 15pc and 274 cases of customs statement violations, which showed a rise of 3pc,” it stated.