The meeting opened with Dr Busenad welcoming Major General Al Shamsi and senior officials, including directors from forensic evidence, anti‑narcotics and customs training. Dr Busenad emphasised that “protecting the community from dangers is a national priority,” and praised the robust collaboration between the two agencies aimed at securing Dubai as one of the world’s safest and most prosperous cities.
Major General Al Shamsi highlighted the partnership’s effectiveness in intercepting prohibited substances. He lauded the “great efforts made by Customs teams at the borders and ports,” and acknowledged the sophistication of their security systems.
A central focus of the discussions was the adoption of artificial intelligence tools to detect and predict smuggling patterns. Officials reviewed updates to shared security databases, exploring how AI‑driven behavioural analytics can enhance the identification of illicit cargo and suspicious activities.
A joint report on emerging narcotic substances and recent seizure trends was presented. While exact figures were not disclosed, officials noted a noticeable uptick in detecting novel psychoactive compounds, underscoring the need for coordinated surveillance and rapid response mechanisms.
The session reinforced the agencies’ commitment to unify operations across forensic, counter‑narcotics and border security divisions. Senior department heads deliberated on exchanging technical know‑how, expanding joint training regimes, and synchronising future strategies to enhance responsiveness and operational coverage.
Experts observe that this enhanced cooperation aligns with broader Gulf security priorities, where cross‑agency collaboration is increasingly vital to combat transnational trafficking, terrorism financing and emerging digital threats. Using predictive analytics and shared intelligence creates a more formidable deterrent at maritime ports, airports and land borders.
This approach follows earlier efforts to deepen interagency ties. In 2023, the two entities held extensive training‑focused discussions involving anti‑narcotics and customs intelligence units, aimed at refining field‑training scenarios and improving detection capabilities. Additionally, Dubai Customs has consistently advanced its digital and operational infrastructure, influenced by its alignment with the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council and national security objectives.
Within the current meeting, participants outlined future initiatives including workshops on AI‑based cargo profiling, cross‑border data integration platforms, and rotations of specialist personnel. Enhanced forensic processes and crime‑scene coordination were also flagged as priority areas to tackle smuggling and emerging threats more efficiently.
The agreement reflects wider strategic intent among UAE authorities to build an integrated security ecosystem. By sharing real‑time data and collaborative patrolling, Dubai Customs and Dubai Police aim to form a near‑seamless framework spanning ports to urban centres—enhancing resilience against illicit flows of contraband, narcotics and potentially harmful materials.
Stakeholders across the security apparatus say this cooperative mode marks a transformation from reactive incident response to proactive threat interdiction. High‑ranking government officials, including the Ruler‑appointed Customs leadership and Police command, have endorsed the framework, ensuring that this joint effort is backed by political and institutional mandates.
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