The Abu Dhabi customs officials recently foiled an attempt by a Arab driver to smuggle 16,713 bottles of alcohol out of the country in a vegetable-laden truck.

He was caught at the Al Ghuwaifat border after the port inspectors were informed by local police of a suspicious truck leaving the UAE through the truck departure section, said senior officals of The General Administration of Customs – Abu Dhabi.

Besides the driver, there was another person of Arab nationality sitting in the truck.

On probe, the inspectors found several cardboard boxes filled with 16,713 750 ml alcohol bottles, each of which had been professionally placed under a vegetable shipment.

Mohamed Khadem Al Hameli, the acting director general of the General Administration of Customs praised the ongoing co-operation between all security entities operating at Al Ghuwaifat border port and their commitment to provide maximum protection for the UAE community.

"This dedication is reflected by the previous attempts foiled and controlled by customs inspectors, and their efforts to protect their homeland from any potential risks caused by cross border trade," he added.-TradeArabia News Service