Abu Dhabi Customs officials foiled an attempt to smuggle 22,974 bottles of alcohol through Al-Ghuwaifat border in the western region which borders Saudi Arabia.

The attempt was foiled after Customs inspectors at Al-Ghuwaifat were informed by the police of a suspicious truck.

A 45-year-old Arab truck driver was referred for thorough check-up after Ports and Airports Security Police staff detected him. The bottles of alcohol — which had been hidden among juice boxes — were found by the inspectors and subsequently seized. Authorities have launched a detailed intensive investigation into the incident.

During the first week of this month, Customs officials had foiled a bid to smuggle 16,713 bottles of alcohol into Saudi Arabia on a truck loaded with vegetables.

Mohamed Khadem Al Hameli, acting director general of the General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs commended the customs inspectors’ ongoing efforts to prevent illegal smuggling across the borders.