Dubai Customs has unveiled a new fleet of vehicles for its K9 Unit to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, reinforcing the UAE’s efforts to combat narcotics.
The launch also supports the national anti-drug campaign introduced this year by the National Anti-Narcotics Council under the slogan, ‘Uniting to Eradicate the Scourge,’ highlighting the country’s commitment to strengthening border security and preventing drug smuggling.
The new fleet forms part of Dubai Customs’ strategy to modernize its customs inspection system and strengthen the operational readiness of its specialized units, including the K9 Unit, which plays a critical role in protecting society and the national economy from attempts to smuggle narcotics and other prohibited substances through the country’s border crossings.
Dubai Customs K9 unit meets international standard
Dubai Customs said that the two new vehicles have been built to the highest international standards to meet the operational requirements of the K9 Unit. They are designed to accelerate response times to inspection requests from customs centers, improve field inspection efficiency, and provide the highest levels of safety for both handlers and dogs.
The vehicles are equipped with an integrated suite of smart technologies, including cameras that monitor and record the dogs’ movements inside the kennels, driver-attention monitoring systems, and thermal sensors that continuously measure kennel temperatures. If temperatures exceed safe limits, instant alerts are sent to both the driver and assistant to safeguard the dogs during field operations.
The vehicles also feature dedicated emergency plates that facilitate rapid access to inspection sites during accidents or heavy traffic. They are currently being electronically linked to Dubai Customs’ main operations room, enabling live monitoring of K9 inspection missions.
The unit also carried out 341 field deployments in 2023, increasing to 419 in 2024, while completing 290 deployments in 2025 to support inspection operations across customs centers.
The K9 Unit operates from a purpose-built facility designed to the highest international standards. The complex includes 54 kennels, five quarantine kennels, five specialized training kennels, a veterinary examination room, training grounds, and, following the addition of the new vehicles, a fleet of six dedicated K9 transport vehicles.
The new fleet is part of Dubai Customs’ broader strategy to enhance border security by equipping its K9 Unit with advanced technologies and operational capabilities.
The initiative is designed to strengthen inspectors’ ability to detect narcotics and other prohibited substances at an early stage, while supporting legitimate trade, safeguarding the community, and reinforcing Dubai’s standing as a global leader in border security and the fight against cross-border organized crime.
