Dubai: In yet another testament to Dubai’s world-class security and efficiency, Dubai Police successfully tracked down a lost bag containing over Dh25,000 in cash at Dubai International Airport, returning it to its rightful owner within just 30 minutes.
Egyptian traveller Munir Said Ibrahim, who was in transit at DXB, mistakenly picked up another passenger’s luggage from the baggage conveyor belt, confusing it with his own due to their striking similarity in shape and color.
The mix-up could have caused significant distress, as the lost bag contained $7,000 (approximately Dh25,710), along with Ibrahim’s personal belongings and travel documents. However, swift action by the General Department of Airport Security ensured that the situation was resolved quickly.
A Race Against Time
With only an hour before his connecting flight to China, Ibrahim rushed to the airport police office upon realizing his mistake. The on-duty officer immediately mobilized a task force, meticulously tracking his movements from the moment he arrived at the airport. Officers reviewed surveillance footage and coordinated with Emirates Airlines, his carrier from Cairo International Airport, to piece together the sequence of events.
The investigation soon revealed that the bag had been mistakenly taken by another Egyptian traveller—a female passenger who was still within the airport corridors, waiting for her relatives. Unaware of the mix-up, she was taken aback when Dubai Police officers approached her, explained the situation, and facilitated the return of the correct luggage to both parties. the Khaleej Times reported.
With his bag safely back in his possession, Ibrahim was able to make his flight on time.
A Legacy of Quick Response
Both passengers expressed deep gratitude to Dubai Police for their swift and efficient response. The case is yet another example of the authority’s unwavering commitment to passenger safety and convenience at one of the world's busiest airports.
Dubai Police have a proven track record of reuniting travellers with their lost valuables. In 2023, an Indian pilot was astonished when police returned her misplaced luxury watch a month after she had left it at the airport. In 2022, authorities tracked down and returned Dh77,000 to a Pakistani passenger after a taxi driver found the lost cash. And in 2021, a teacher’s crucial travel documents were recovered after being misplaced at DXB.
With such cases becoming a hallmark of Dubai’s highly efficient policing, passengers at Dubai International Airport can rest assured that, even in moments of panic, help is never too far away.