Customs officers at the Nuwaiseeb border crossing foiled an attempt to smuggle a large shipment of cigarettes after discovering the contraband hidden inside a vehicle’s specially modified compartments.

According to the General Administration of Customs, the vehicle was intercepted after officers became suspicious and carried out an intensive search and found 5,305 cigarette packs with a total weight of nearly one ton.

The cigarettes were professionally concealed inside the vehicle’s door panels, floor, front and rear fascias, as well as hidden compartments and specially prepared secret cavities.

Customs officers seized the contraband and impounded the vehicle for being used in a customs smuggling operation. The accused and seized items were referred to the competent authorities to complete the necessary legal procedures and investigations.