ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Monday, August 18th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

The Ministry of Interior managed to foil two attempts to smuggle 125,500 narcotic pills into the UAE. In the first instance, 45,500 narcotic pills were seized in Sharjah Creek from aboard a vessel coming from out of the country. In the second instance, the ministry thwarted an attempt to smuggle 80,000 narcotic pills through one of UAE’s land ports last month.

Colonel Saeed Abdullah Al Suwaidi, Director General, Anti-Narcotics Federal Directorate General at the Ministry of Interior, noted that the first operation occurred after receiving reliable information confirming that a drug trafficker intended to smuggle a large quantity of narcotic pills by boat. “Our officers managed to detect the vessel and find the contraband drugs. It appeared that the narcotic pills belonged to a crew member that a trafficker had assigned to smuggle into the UAE. These narcotics were to be delivered to someone of the same nationality as the smuggler, and who would then sell them,” said Al Suwaidi. He also pointed out that a joint federal team formed of officers from the Anti-Narcotics Federal Directorate General and the Anti-Narcotics Department at Sharjah Police managed to arrest all persons involved in the smuggling operation.

In regards to the second operation, Colonel Al Suwaidi added, “We received a tip-off about a gang involved in smuggling drugs from neighboring countries to the UAE via the land border at Dibba Al-Hisn in Sharjah. A federal team was immediately formed including officers from the Anti-Narcotics Federal Directorate General, as well as from the Sharjah and Dubai police. The team coordinated and worked with another team from the Directorate General for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of the Sultanate of Oman, who are characterized by their professionalism in pursuance of gang activity around-the-clock.”

This cooperation resulted in the seizure of 80,000 narcotic pills and the arrest of three suspects of Asian nationality- two of which had planned to smuggle 40,000 pills into the UAE at a border crossing. The third suspect, having a similar quantity of narcotic pills in his possession, was arrested by Omani authorities.  

For his part, Colonel Ali Salim Al Khayal, Director of Anti-Narcotics Department at Sharjah Police General Headquarters, stressed that the cooperation, coordination, and team spirit between the country’s drug enforcement agencies strengthen efforts geared towards combatting attempts to smuggle and trade drugs in the country. “The Sharjah Police GHQ have deployed the necessary means to arrest all persons involved in both operations and to prevent these drugs from being sold in the UAE,” added Colonel Al Khayal.

Moreover he pointed out that the team bravely managed to prevent the suspect from escaping and were able to arrest him. “The anti-narcotics officers will unwaveringly deal with whoever attempts to smuggle and sell drugs and narcotic pills in the UAE,” said Colonel Al Khayal.

Colonel Al Suwaidi noted that the competency in utilizing the information provided by the anti-narcotics officers, cooperation and proper planning contributed to the arrest of the suspects. He also praised the cooperation and coordination with the Directorate General for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of the Sultanate of Oman.

“In order to curb attempts to smuggle drugs into the UAE, the MoI is enhancing its strategic partnership with the authorities and entities responsible for inspection tasks in ports. This will be done through the development of inspection mechanisms,” said Colonel Al Suwaidi.

Appealing to the parents to follow up with their children, Colonel Al Suwaidi said, “Parents must strengthen their oversight of their child’s practices, meet their friends, and talk to them about the dangers of drugs and psychotropic substances. They should discuss and disclose how drug dealers lie and promote illusions, that their only intention is to make money and that they completely disregard the damages drugs can cause to the health of an individual and to their family.”

He also urged parents to report any suspicious behaviors they may observe and to cooperate with the anti-narcotic units. The anti-narcotic units will perform all measures necessary and the laws of the UAE guarantee the protection of parents and children from any legal accountability as a result of their cooperation.

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Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE

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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com

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