The General Administration of Customs - Abu Dhabi intercepted various attempts to smuggle 4,044 banned items, including drugs, medication, tobacco and other illegal substances, during the first half of 2017, a report said.

The number of custom’s reports that were issued during the first half of the year reached 3,852, reported Wam, the Emirates official news agency.

Customs clearance at the Customs Centre at Abu Dhabi International Airport recorded the highest number of confiscated prohibited items, totalling 1,740, followed by the customs centre in Mazyad with 776, and lastly by the post office of Abu Dhabi Customs with 570.

Mohammed Khadem Al Hamli, acting director-general of the General Administration of Customs - Abu Dhabi, explained that the department is working in co-operation with all its strategic partners, to develop the basis of its customs procedures by adopting the latest technologies and electronic services.

The department is also continuing its efforts to enhance the capabilities of its inspectors, and provide them with the necessary expertise by organising theoretical and practical training, to support them in their task of protecting homeland security and the safety of citizens.