Sana'a - Saba:
The Sana'a Customs Authority achieved a qualitative shift and leap in combating customs smuggling crimes during 2023-2024.
The Authority devoted its efforts to prosecuting smugglers before judicial authorities, these efforts were not limited to filing criminal and civil lawsuits, but also included initiating criminal cases for all smuggling cases and following them up with judicial bodies, this was in accordance with the legal and religious responsibility to combat various types and forms of smuggling, and given that the Customs Authority is the first line of defense.
In this regard, the head of the Customs Authority, Engineer Adel Margham, explained to the Yemeni News Agency (Saba) that the total number of cases brought before public prosecutions during 2023-2024 amounted to 238 cases involving various smuggling crimes.
He pointed out that the cases brought before the Public Prosecution Offices involved various smuggling crimes, including 123 pesticide smuggling crimes, 92 pharmaceutical smuggling crimes, eight foreign agricultural product smuggling crimes, four petroleum derivatives smuggling crimes, electronic cigarettes and snuff, five cigarette smuggling crimes, and six counterfeiting crimes.
According to a report issued by the General Department of Legal Affairs at the Customs Authority, smugglers resort to various methods and means to conceal smuggled goods, whether medicines, pesticides, foreign agricultural products, or fruits.
Smugglers deliberately conceal smuggled goods in vehicles, in secret places and hiding places within vehicle structures, such as spare tires, doors, seats, near engines, fuel tanks, water tanks, gas cylinders, and motorcycles.
The report also addressed the efforts and roles played by the Customs Authority in combating all forms of smuggling, not to mention the technological and electronic developments in customs offices and centers, which play a pivotal role in facilitating the detection of smuggled goods, the report includes a summary of the cases brought before public prosecution offices over the past two years. Smuggling cases are distributed among 21 courts and prosecution offices.
Regarding the cases brought before public prosecution offices at customs offices and centers, the report indicates that the Sa'dah Customs and Control Office achieved the highest level of thwarting attempts to smuggle goods.
The number of criminal cases reached 55, with the Al-Rahida Customs Center coming in second with 48, the number of criminal cases brought by the Afar Customs Center reached 32, the Al-Hazm Customs Center 26, the Dhamar Customs and Control Office 19, the Hodeidah Customs and Control Office 14, the Nihm Customs Center 14, the Customs Authority Office 11, the Taiz Customs and Control Office nine, the Sana'a Customs and Control Office five, and the Amran Customs and Control Office two.
The head of the Customs Authority pointed out that the Authority plays a crucial role in combating the smuggling of pesticides, medicines, cigarettes, and various contraband goods through constant vigilance at customs ports, thwarting all attempts to smuggle goods that threaten the security, safety, and health of society, and protecting citizens from their dangers.
He praised the efforts of customs employees deployed at all ports for their significant efforts in thwarting and controlling smuggling attempts, and for their vigilance and sense of community, as they represent the first line of defense protecting the nation and its citizens.
Engineer Margham emphasized that the Customs Authority will not hesitate to fulfill its religious, humanitarian, and legal duty to prevent all forms of customs smuggling, based on the Authority's mandate and responsibilities, he stressed that it will not be deterred by any obstacles or challenges that could harm the interests of the nation and its citizens.
M.M
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