DUBAI // Customs officers are teaching youths about the dangers of swords and other bladed weapons.
A three-day campaign began on Wednesday in Al Warqa, a known gathering place for youths, to try to reduce the number of crimes and deaths where bladed weapons are used.
Dubai Customs is aiming to be the first line of defence for the community, said Khalil Saqer, its director of corporate communications.
The campaign complements efforts by Customs officers to stop weapons being smuggled into the UAE.
“The activities include arranging trips for private and public school students to the campaign site and briefing them on our goals,” Mr Saqer said.
“They will also be warned that these weapons are prohibited from being carried around in public locations, such as airports, courts, schools and on city streets.”
About 936 weapons were seized last year at Dubai Airport by Customs.
Another 1,960 items were seized in shipments at Jebel Ali Port and Tecom Customs Centre. They comprised 1,520 knives, 30 swords, 110 holsters, 200 range boxes and 100 gun-cleaning tools.
The weapons had been declared as sporting goods by the importing company, Dubai Customs said in September.
Advanced inspection techniques and high-range scanners are used by Customs officers to identify what type of goods are being shipped.
Customs authorities have appealed to the public to cooperate with local and federal agencies in the fight against smuggling.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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