Workshop Discussing Customs Smuggling Issues on Tuesday

Director of Customs Forces, Major General Salah Ahmed Ibrahim, revealed that there is no immunity for officers and personnel in the anti-smuggling unit of customs. He stated, “If a member of the forces injures a smuggler or kills him during pursuit, that will not exempt him from prosecution.” He added, “Often, the charge of premeditated murder turns into negligent homicide.” He announced coordination between customs and all related entities within the General Intelligence Service, the Drug Administration, and others for the public interest. He emphasized, “We work in complete coordination and are not in isolated islands.” Ibrahim pointed out during his remarks (on Sunday) in a press conference dedicated to the customs smuggling workshop organized by the Ministry of Interior next Tuesday that one of the main goals for customs from this workshop is to produce deterrent recommendations against smugglers. He stressed that the penalties against smugglers are not deterrent enough, saying, “We submitted a vision before the war to address this matter, but the war occurred, and it was not addressed.” He added, “We are in contact with related entities to issue strict penalties against smugglers,” and expected the upcoming workshop to produce recommendations that contribute to limiting customs smuggling as it poses various security and economic threats. Ibrahim revealed his administration’s efforts on several fronts aimed at developing work, announcing a significant plan that customs intends to implement during its future vision starting early next year. He noted the great interest in customs issues, especially regarding customs smuggling, stating that the workshop will be attended by a member of the Sovereign Council, Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Shams al-Din Kabashi, confirming this as evidence of the significant interest from the state’s leadership in combating customs smuggling. He stated that there will be a paper presented during the workshop from the Economic Security Administration, alongside another paper from the Federation of Employers, and he expected the workshop to produce recommendations that assist in reducing the various risks of customs smuggling.