In a continuing crackdown on international drug trafficking, Cairo International Airport Customs officials have successfully intercepted a smuggling attempt involving four Egyptian passengers carrying approximately 11.5 kilograms of "powdered synthetic hashish."
This latest operation brings the total amount of narcotics seized at the airport over the past five weeks to approximately 36.5 kilograms, following recent high-profile busts involving 5 kg of hashish and 20 kg of MDMA from foreign nationals.
Details of the Operation
The seizure took place at Terminal 2, overseen by Dr. Ahmed Saad Abdul Mutalib, Director General of Terminal 2 Customs. During the processing of an Emirates flight arriving from Dubai, customs officer Haitham El-Demerdash flagged a frequent traveler for inspection.
Upon X-ray examination by officer Mina Fahim, suspicious organic matter was detected inside several containers. A subsequent manual search by officer Sami Nabil revealed four jars containing a pinkish substance concealed within packages of molasses (shisha tobacco).
Simultaneously, a second passenger—also a frequent traveler—was stopped by officer Shaima Ali. An inspection of his luggage by officers Ahmed Shaker and Thomas Farid revealed four identical jars containing the same suspicious substance.
Investigation and Arrests
Following a digital forensic check of the suspects' mobile phones and a coordinated sweep of the remaining passengers on the flight, two additional suspects were apprehended, each carrying one jar of the same material.
Brigadier General Bassem Hajjaj, head of the Anti-Narcotics Department at Cairo Airport, confirmed that the seized substance is powdered synthetic hashish.
Legal Action
Ahmed Abdel Hadi, Director of the Fourth Department at Terminal 2, ordered the filing of official seizure reports for all four passengers. The case was referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal action by Dr. Majid Moussa, Head of the Central Administration of Cairo Airport Customs.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the Central Administration for Customs Compliance Technology and involved a dedicated team of officers, including Alaa Shehata, Abdel Rahman Mahmoud Ibrahim, Ahmed Mohamed Fathi, Nora Noaman, and Hafez Manshawi.
Commitment to Security
Customs officials emphasized that these efforts are part of a broader strategy to secure national borders while maintaining a smooth flow of traffic for tourists and legitimate travelers. This string of successful operations highlights the continuous vigilance of the Customs Authority, under the supervision of Mr. Ahmed Amwi, Head of the Customs Authority, and with the ongoing support of Egypt’s Minister of Finance, Mr. Ahmed Kouchouk.
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