JEDDAH — Violations uncovered by Customs officials at Jeddah Islamic Port increased in 2014 compared to the previous year. According to recently released data, the Department of Customs identified 883 violations in 2014 while in 2013 only 194 cases were documented. Forged products constitute up to 30 percent of imported goods. In a recent tour to the Customs Department at Jeddah Islamic Port, reporters were introduced to the different processes that imported products have to go through before they are allowed into the Kingdom. The port receives an average of 4,000 containers every day even though the port area is capable of receiving only 600 containers, creating much pressure on the port administration. Up to 70 percent of screenings are done by X-ray while the rest is done manually to ensure containers do not contain any drugs or weapons. The screening process takes at least two days for each container. Head of the Customs Department at Jeddah Islamic Port Muhammad Al-Ghamdi called for the need to specify fines and punishments for traders bringing in forged products. He also noted that officials would be naming and shaming violators as a deterrent. According to him, violations at the seaport constitute only 5 percent of documented offenses, while up to 64 percent occur at land borders and the rest happens at airports. According to Al-Ghamdi, only 10 percent of traders import 90 percent of products arriving in the Kingdom, while violations are mainly documented in the containers of new traders. He noted containers from certain Asian countries are monitored because citizens from those nations have a notable record for smuggling drugs into the Kingdom. The investigation process includes screenings, sniffer dogs and random inspections. Drugs smuggling attempts, said Al-Ghamdi, increases by 100 percent in Ramadan due to the large number of people passing through Saudi borders. Some attempts involve hiding narcotics in various types of goods including the walls of containers, honey jars, construction equipment and water tanks. Other smugglers conceal drugs in their bodies, said Al-Ghamdi. Such attempts are foiled not only by letting suspect passengers pass through machines but also by examining their faces, which usually appear pale with yellow lips and show signs of general fatigue because they might not be able to eat or drink for over 24 hours.
