Dubai Customs seize 68kg of ‘black magic’ contraband including bones and blood

Talismans, amulets and animal skin were also found on smugglers who sell or trade such objects

World 14:37 16.05.2021
Dubai Customs foiled 35 attempts in the last three years to import more than 68kg of ‘black magic’ items at Dubai International Airport.
 
Officers seized items associated with the practice of witchcraft and sorcery, such as talismans, amulets, animal skins, bones and blood, between 2018 and 2020.
 
“Items that could be associated with sorcery or black magic are prohibited under a decree by the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee,” said Khalid Ahmad, director of passengers operations at Dubai Customs.
 
In the attempts to import 68.4kg of black magic goods, officers also confiscated sorcery knives, needles, ampoules full of animal blood and other liquids, animal hair, bones and drawings, pieces of metal, rings and magic techniques books.
 
“Attempts to bring these prohibited materials into the country in various ways are considered smuggling in accordance with the unified customs law,” Mr Ahmad said.
 
He said an African woman who was caught in 2018 carrying 10.8kg of black magic items was also detected a year later trying to smuggle 8.4kg of similar objects and books.
 
Mr Ahmad said well-trained customs officers depend primarily on their skills in reading body language to detect who might be carrying such items before screening and manually checking luggage.
 
“Training happens with help from the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai,” he said.
 
“Once confiscated, items are referred to relevant authorities to be dealt with.”
 
Practising black magic or attempting to smuggle sorcery items is illegal under Article 316 of the UAE’s Penal Code. People caught smuggling black magic objects are subject to prison and/or fines.
 
A total of 47.6kg of witchcraft items that could have been used for deception were seized in 2018.
 
The following year, 12.9kg of items were confiscated from passengers in 2019 and 7.9kg was seized in 2020.
 
Dubai Customs said its efforts in spreading awareness about carrying these items has helped bring the number of smuggling attempts down.

 

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

Israel wants to coordinate with US on possibility of new strikes on Iran
09:15 08.07.2025
Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
09:00 08.07.2025
Geno rejects signing of 38-year-old Jamie Vardy
21:00 07.07.2025
Gaza death toll passes 57,500 as Israeli attacks continue unabated
20:45 07.07.2025
Russian emergencies minister arrives in Baku
20:25 07.07.2025
Trump due to meet Netanyahu at White House
20:15 07.07.2025
Russia attacks recruitment centers in Ukraine's Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia
20:00 07.07.2025
Pezeshkian says Israel attempted assassination against him
19:45 07.07.2025
Iran has military capability to strike Israel daily for 2 years, IRGC adviser says
19:20 07.07.2025
US envoy says ‘satisfied’ with Lebanese response on roadmap to disarm Hezbollah
19:00 07.07.2025
Peskov: Russia, Azerbaijan should remain close partners, allies
18:45 07.07.2025
The Gulf Observer: Armenians' destruction of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage - vandalism against all humanity
18:30 07.07.2025
Official: Nearly 1M foreigners arrived in Azerbaijan in 5 months of 2025
18:15 07.07.2025
Chief of General Staff of Azerbaijan Army visits Saudi Arabia
18:00 07.07.2025
Israeli PM approved Yemen airstrikes during his flight to US
17:45 07.07.2025
Expert: ECO Summit in Khankendi confirmed member countries' desire for inclusive, multipolar world
17:30 07.07.2025
AZAL introduces new online service
17:15 07.07.2025
Poland imposes checks on German and Lithuanian borders amid migration fears
17:00 07.07.2025
Saudi Arabia raises August oil prices for Asia, Europe buyers
16:45 07.07.2025
EU Reporter: Karabakh region became platform for int'l forums
16:15 07.07.2025
Georgian PM says direct foreign interference in democratic elections failed
16:00 07.07.2025
Typhoon Danas kills two in Taiwan, injures over 500
15:45 07.07.2025
'Coalition of the Willing' may fall apart over Starmer-Macron conflict
15:30 07.07.2025
Former Adjara head hospitalized with gunshot wound in Georgia
15:15 07.07.2025
Scientists reveal how caffeine slows down aging
15:00 07.07.2025
Thailand to offer US more trade concessions to avert 36% tariff
14:45 07.07.2025
Putin dismisses transport minister
14:30 07.07.2025
Israel carries out strikes on Houthi-controlled power station, ports across Yemen
14:15 07.07.2025
UK to name Iran as one of its biggest threats
14:00 07.07.2025
Armenia rejects possibility of using country's territory for military purposes
13:45 07.07.2025
Mexico defeats US for second consecutive Gold Cup title
13:30 07.07.2025
Iranian FM calls attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities flagrant violation of NPT
13:15 07.07.2025
Netanyahu lands in US ahead of White House meeting with Trump
13:00 07.07.2025
Ilham Aliyev receives delegation led by Pakistani National Assembly speaker
12:55 07.07.2025
Araghchi: BRICS to play key role in defending world order
12:45 07.07.2025
Eight Turkish soldiers martyred in northern Iraq
12:30 07.07.2025
Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside White House ahead of Israeli premier's visit
12:15 07.07.2025
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent scoffs at Musk’s new America Party
12:00 07.07.2025
Trump dismisses Musk’s third party idea as ‘ridiculous’
11:45 07.07.2025
Israeli army launches airstrikes on western Yemen
11:30 07.07.2025
Hamısı