It’s been a busy month for customs officials in Qatar.

This week, the authority honored several officers after they seized some 29kg of marijuana off of five different passengers arriving in Doha.

The accused all hail from “Asian” countries, the Customs Authority said in a statement.

Four of the passengers had flown into Hamad International Airport (HIA) and attempted to smuggle drugs in their suitcases.

Meanwhile, a fifth tried to hide the marijuana in an air freight package containing textbooks and folders.

Smuggling point

According to HIA Customs Director Ajab Mansour al Qahtani, the incidents highlight the rising prevalence of drug smugglers entering Qatar.

But he added that the seizures also showed the capabilities of officials in protecting the country’s borders from the contraband.

Other notable seizures this year included 11kg of marijuana hidden in a bag of dried chili peppers; 332g of marijuana tucked into a box of sweets; and 4kg of cannabis stuffed inside stereo speakers.

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