Gobran Mohamed

CAIRO: Egyptian customs officers have foiled attempts to smuggle bladed weapons, narcotics and foreign currency though Cairo International Airport.

Cairo International Airport customs authorities detained two passengers in possession of undisclosed foreign currency, drugs and bladed weapons.

Officials said that a suspected smuggler was arrested recently while trying to exit via the Green Line gate.

When his bags were passed through an X-ray machine, authorities discovered bladed weapons hidden among clothing.

Drugs and bladed weapons in addition to a foreign currency equivalent of more than $10,000 were found during a manual inspection of the bags.

During the completion of the customs procedures for passengers of the same flight, the airport customs said that another traveler — related to the first passenger — was found to be in possession of 47 drug tablets included in illegal drug schedules.

The passenger was also carrying $10,000 and €50 ($53) in excess of legal limits.

The two passengers were referred to prosecution in coordination with the Criminal Investigation Department at the airport.

Meanwhile, customs officers at the First Department of Terminal 2 at Cairo Airport foiled two attempts to smuggle a number of narcotic pills, a metal sword and a dagger with a sharp blade in violation of Egyptian laws.

In the first case, the customs committee warden at the arrival hall noticed a suspicious Egyptian passenger who was trying to exit the customs committee gate.

He had arrived from Frankfurt, Germany, on an EgyptAir flight.

His bags were passed through an X-ray scanner when authorities discovered metal objects, including a sword and dagger, inside the passenger’s bags.

The articles are classified as bladed weapons and are prohibited under Egyptian Law No. 394 of 1954, officials said.